Braves Nation: Matt Olson closing fast on single-season home run record

Atlanta Braves' first baseman Matt Olson (28) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning at Truist Park, Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta Braves' first baseman Matt Olson (28) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning at Truist Park, Thursday, September 7, 2023, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Remember when Matt Olson went 19 games without a home run?

Yeah, that streak’s over.

Olson hit his major league-leading 47th home run in the Braves’ 8-5 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night. It was the fourth consecutive game in which Olson homered.

Olson now leads the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, 44 homers, for the most in baseball. The Mets’ Pete Alonso is third with 42. Olson also is the MLB leader in RBIs with 116, a significant lead over second-place Alonso’s 102.

It’s time to pay closer attention to Olson’s pursuit of the Braves’ single-season home run record. That clearly is right in front of him. Andruw Jones holds the record of 51 homers in 2005. Over the Braves’ final 23 regular-season games, Olson needs only five home runs to break the mark.

Olson has moved into a tie for second on the franchise single-season list with Henry Aaron (1971) and Eddie Mathews (1953) at 47 home runs.

Olson has 26 home runs at home. The franchise record is 31, held by Aaron. He has 21 home runs on the road. The franchise record is 28 by Andres Gallarraga.

Here is the list of the Braves’ top single-season home runs totals:

1. Andruw Jones (2005): 51

2. Matt Olson (2023): 47

2. Henry Aaron (1971): 47

2. Eddie Mathews (1953): 47

5. Eddie Mathews (1959): 46

6. Henry Aaron (1962): 45

6. Chipper Jones (1999): 45

8. Henry Aaron (1957): 44

8. Henry Aaron (1963): 44

8. Henry Aaron (1966): 44

8. Henry Aaron (1969): 44

8. Andres Galarraga (1998): 44

8. Dale Murphy (1987): 44

Atlanta Braves' first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning at Truist Park, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in Atlanta. Atlanta Braves won 12-5 over Los Angeles Angels. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC