So it’s midseason and the mid-summer classic is upon us, and the Braves are rolling. Braves have six players heading to Hollywood plus Manager Brian Snitker, due to the Braves winning the World Series last year, will manage the National League squad. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, RF Ronald Acuna, Jr, P Max Fried, C William Contreras, C Travis d’Arnaud, and 3B Austin Riley will represent the Braves at Dodger Stadium. The Braves are 56-38, 2.5 games back of the New York Mets 58-35, in the National League East.
But it wasn’t alway this close. Going into June 1, the Braves had a 23-27 record. I then went on vacation and when I returned, the Braves had won 14 straight games, and pulled within four games of the Mets. Since June 1 the Braves have a record of 33-11. At that same time they sat 10.5 games behind the New York Mets, while still holding second place in the NL East standings.
The Braves continue to play smash ball as they have belted 147 home runs, which is second to the Bronx Bombers who have just 10 more at 157 home runs.
The surprise for me in the first half is not new comer 1B Matt Olson, but recent call-up from Double-AA Mississippi Braves CF Michael Harris II. An Atlanta native has caught on quickly and solidified the center field position for the Braves for years to come. Look for him to get a long term deal with the Braves during the upcoming offseason. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has done the same with Acuna and 2B Ozzie Albies after a year or two with the team, re-signing the two to long-term deals.
But back to Harris. If he continues this, he could be a good candidate for Rookie of the Year. In just 48 games played and 173 at-bats, he has 49 hits for an average of .283 with eight home runs. He has already been spectacular in the outfield, coming up with one great outfield assist. His home runs are not cheap shot either, they are rocket shots over the fence.
If the playoffs were to begin now the Braves would be in as the number one wild card team. But as in any sport, anything can happen. The team would love to overcome the team from Queens and take their fifth straight NL East crown.
In Other Braves News
Ozzie Albies is about 80% ready to come back from a broken foot that happened last month. The team is eyeing a late August or early September for his return.
Header photo courtesy of MLB.com
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