Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

With Matt Kemp’s help, the National League is outhitting the American League

Outfielder Matt Kemp leads the Braves in batting average and RBI.

Credit: Scott Cunningham

Credit: Scott Cunningham

Outfielder Matt Kemp leads the Braves in batting average and RBI.
By AJC Sports
June 1, 2017

The statistics site fivethirtyeight.com finds that in the first two months of the 2017 baseball season, National League hitters — including pitchers — had a .739 on-base plus slugging percentage compared with .735 for the American League.

Kemp has helped Braves in Freeman's absence

The AL has had the advantage of the designated hitter since 1973. With interleague play now the norm, more AL pitchers are squaring up at the plate.

A position-by-position analysis notes that NL left fielders, such as the Atlanta Braves' Matt Kemp, are producing more than their American League counterparts.

The study notes that only once has the NL outhit the AL during a full season, in 1976-- by the smallest of fractions.

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