| 2020 Atlanta Braves | ||
|---|---|---|
| National League East Champions | ||
 | ||
| League | National League | |
| Division | East | |
| Ballpark | Truist Park | |
| City | Atlanta | |
| Record | 35–25 (.583) | |
| Divisional place | 1st | |
| Owners | Liberty Media/John Malone | |
| General managers | Alex Anthopoulos | |
| Managers | Brian Snitker | |
| Television | Fox Sports Southeast Fox Sports South (Chip Caray, Jeff Francoeur, Paul Byrd, Tom Glavine, Dale Murphy, Joe Simpson) | |
| Radio | 680 The Fan Rock 100.5 Atlanta Braves Radio Network (Jim Powell, Don Sutton, Joe Simpson) | |
| ||
The 2020 Atlanta Braves season was the Braves' 55th season in Atlanta, 150th overall, and fourth season at Truist Park.
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled.[1] Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks.[2] On June 23, commissioner Rob Manfred unilaterally implemented a 60-game season. Players reported to training camps on July 1 in order to resume spring training and prepare for a July 24 Opening Day.[3] The Braves began the season at the New York Mets on July 24 and ended the season at home against the Boston Red Sox on September 27.
Due to the pandemic and the shortened season, Major League Baseball instituted certain rule changes which included the use of a universal designated hitter, a runner on second base to start extra innings, and a revised schedule.[4]
In a series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall became the first pair of teammates in MLB history to hit three home runs in consecutive games, Ozuna doing so on September 1 and Duvall on September 2.[5] In their game against the Miami Marlins on September 9, the Braves scored 29 runs, one short of the MLB record set by the Texas Rangers in 2007.[6] On September 22, the Braves clinched the National League East for the third straight year with a 11–1 win over the Miami Marlins.[7][8] They then swept the Cincinnati Reds in the NLWCS for their first post-season series win since the 2001 season. They also swept the Miami Marlins in the NLDS and advanced to the NLCS, their first NLCS appearance since 2001. They lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS after leading 3–1.
The Braves led MLB in hits (556), doubles (130), runs batted in (338), on-base percentage (.349), on-base plus slugging (.832), total bases (1,001) and plate appearances (2,344).[9]
- ^ Mark Feinsand (March 12, 2020). "Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games cancelled". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
- ^ "Opening of regular season to be pushed back". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ Feinsand, Mark (June 24, 2020). "Play Ball: MLB announces 2020 regular season". MLB.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Daniels, Tim. "MLB Rules, Format Changes for 60-Game 2020 Season Due to COVID-19". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (September 2, 2020). "Braves make 3-homer game history". MLB.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "Braves' 29 runs against Marlins second most in MLB since 1900". ESPN. September 9, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
- ^ Burns, Gabriel (September 22, 2020). "The new streak continues: Braves win third consecutive NL East title". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ McPherson, Jordan (September 23, 2020). "Atlanta Braves crush Marlins to win NL East. Where do Miami's playoff hopes stand now?". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ "2020 MLB Team Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 3, 2020.