Comparing the St. Louis Cardinals lineup to playoff teams

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 11, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The home run was the 697th of Pujols career, moving him to 4th place all time in MLB home runs. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 11: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run in the ninth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 11, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The home run was the 697th of Pujols career, moving him to 4th place all time in MLB home runs. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves bats against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves

  1.  RF Ronald Acuna Jr. 
  2.  SS Dansby Swanson 
  3.  3B Austin Riley
  4.  1B Matt Olson
  5.  DH William Contreras 
  6.  C Travis d’Arnaud 
  7.  CF Michael Harris
  8.  LF Eddie Rosario
  9.  2B Vaughn Grissom

The Atlanta Braves are the reigning World Series champions, and even after losing franchise icon Freddie Freeman, their lineup is still one of the best in the game.

Sporting the 2nd best OPS in the majors this season, the club is finding production from their World Series core, rookies, offseason additions, and midseason accusations alike. Austin Riley has played at an MVP level for the club, and Matt Olson is really beginning to fill in the hole left by Freeman this offseason.

Rookies Michael Harris and Vaughn Grissom have provided the club with big hits filling in for injured veterans, and are now established members of their lineup. Somehow, this lineup could improve even more soon, if 2B Ozzie Albies is able to return from his injury soon.

As good as the St. Louis lineup is, if Atlanta’s is playing like it can, it has a clear edge over the Cardinals. The Cardinals have the best two hitters in a matchup with the Atlanta, but the Braves arguably have the next 5-7 best hitters, depending on where you would rank Pujols compared to their bats.

Verdict: Braves