Matt Olson earns Braves MVP honor from ESPN due to Ronald Acuna Jr. problem

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The Atlanta Braves are currently sitting atop the NL East, but that division lead has dramatically dwindled to just 2.0 games over the Philadelphia Phillies and 3.0 over the Miami Marlins on July 8.

It's very possible the Braves don't have the division lead by the All-Star break. But the Braves might not even have the lead right now if it weren't for Matt Olson.

ESPN's Bradford Doolittle named Olson the Braves' team MVP through the first half of the season, due in large part to the team's Ronald Acuna Jr. problem that Olson has helped resolve.

Matt Olson named Braves' MVP due to Ronald Acuna Jr. problem

"Beginning with his rookie season in 2017, Olson's OPS+ figures have been 166, 117, 139, 103, 153, 120, 164, 118, and 137," Doolittle writes. "That's nine elite offensive seasons that were followed by a solid, but not great, season. He's mostly bucked that trend so far in 2026, and boy, have the Braves needed it with Ronald Acuna Jr.'s ongoing injury problems."

During Olson's MLB career, he's typically had an elite season, taking a step back, and then taking another step forward. If that trend continued, this season would've had Olson put up an OPS+ below 138.

However, through 90 games, Olson has a 142 OPS+ this year with 3.1 bWAR, 96 hits, 62 runs scored, 24 doubles, 24 home runs, 57 RBIs, and an .888 OPS to go with some great defense at first base.

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He might not be having an NL MVP-caliber year, but Olson is certainly the Braves' team MVP this season. Michael Harris II has been great with a 132 OPS+ and 3.0 bWAR, while Chris Sale has 2.8 bWAR with a 2.27 ERA in 16 starts.

Olson, however, has been the most valuable for the Braves, as he's not only been one of the best power hitters in baseball and an elite defensive first baseman, but he's bucked a trend that normally would've had his 2026 offensive season worse than his 2025 year.

By having Olson stop that trend from recurring this season, the Braves have been able to stay atop the NL East despite their overall struggles and the injury to Acuna.

This year could be going a lot worse if it were not for Olson's strong season at the plate. It's only the halfway point, and the team MVP could change. But, for now, it's Olson's honor to lose.