The Braves started the second half with a 15-1 beatdown of the Rangers. It’s their second-highest scoring recreation of the season and stretched their NL East lead over the Phillies again to a few video games.
Atlanta’s lineup has picked again up this month after they had been simply the worst offensive staff within the league in June. They had been lifeless final in runs, homers, and all three slash classes. It was a weird few weeks for a membership that was second in scoring (behind solely the Nationals) by way of the tip of Might.
Whereas they appear to have gotten again on monitor, that ugly displaying final month might influence the entrance workplace’s deadline strategy. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic experiences that Atlanta’s early focus has been concentrated extra on the offense than on beginning pitching. That’s definitely to not say the Braves gained’t add a starter, however Rosenthal suggests they’ll take the subsequent couple weeks to judge their inside choices behind Chris Sale whereas monitoring the damage progressions of Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach.
The Braves will get an offensive enhance when Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from the left hamstring pressure that has price him 5 weeks. Skipper Walt Weiss instructed Mark Bowman of MLB.com this afternoon that the five-time All-Star, who’s on a rehab project with Triple-A Gwinnett, may very well be again throughout the subsequent week.
Whereas Acuña hasn’t performed at his traditional degree this season, he’ll clearly return to an on a regular basis proper subject function. Atlanta can also be with out Mike Yastrzemski, Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy — none of whom have contributed a lot this season. Yastrzemski shouldn’t want too lengthy to recuperate from elbow irritation. Kim is coping with irritation in his surgically repaired proper center finger, whereas Murphy has been down since Might with a damaged finger of his personal.
Yastrzemski has a barely underwhelming .230/.321/.365 batting line in 262 plate appearances. He wants a right-handed hitting platoon accomplice even when he’s going properly. Mauricio Dubón has been the on a regular basis left fielder in his absence. Jim Jarvis and Jorge Mateo are splitting the shortstop work with Kim sidelined. They’re most likely reluctant to show that place again to Kim regardless, as he hit .068 with out an extra-base knock in 27 video games between IL stints.
The Braves might look outdoors the group for assist at left subject or shortstop. Dominic Smith’s bat has tanked during the last two months, that means Yastrzesmki might take some designated hitter reps in the event that they purchase an outfielder. Dubón is able to dealing with an everyday shortstop function, as he did originally of the season, however is most beneficial as a multi-position participant.
That might embrace some enjoying time at third base, the place Austin Riley has struggled all season. He’s hitting .210/.290/.339 with a 29% strikeout fee throughout 390 plate appearances. Riley nonetheless has plus bat pace, however he’s chasing extra typically and never barreling balls up at anyplace close to his traditional degree. He’d additionally underperformed late final 12 months whereas coping with a core damage that required season-ending surgical procedure.
Riley is signed by way of 2032 on what has turn into an underwater contract. It’s unlikely the Braves will commerce for a 3rd baseman on one other large deal (e.g. Matt Chapman, Bo Bichette). They might inquire on somebody like Houston’s Isaac Paredes or San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt, each of whom can play third base whereas factoring in at different positions. There aren’t many clear shortstop commerce candidates. Atlanta might inquire on the Yankees’ Anthony Volpe or attempt to land a multi-positional sort like Minnesota’s Brooks Lee or Texas’ Ezequiel Duran.Any of these groups would possibly require MLB bullpen assist to contemplate a commerce once they’re all within the AL playoff image.
