Wow.
Just Wow.
From a feeling of deflation to complete euphoria in a matter of a half inning, the Braves pulled off their best win of the season in 2021. No arguably, no perhaps, nothing except the absolute truth.
It was a statement win for the Braves.
A statement win is a great way to take advantage of upcoming series against the Pirates and once again the Marlins before the first half of the season ends. Even better than the win itself, the comeback was started and completed almost entirely off the bats of Braves not named Ronnie, Ozzie or Freddie. Orlando Arcia and Abraham Almonte had the big hits in the ninth inning, and then Max Fried delivered the knock out blow in the tenth inning.
This hopefully is a sign the middle and bottom of the Braves order can start to contribute a bit more. The promotion of Arcia from Gwinnett was a needed boost, and obviously paid huge dividends in his first Braves game. Arcia went 2-4 for the game with a run and an RBI in the ninth inning, and it is likely he could get plenty of playing time moving forward.
While Arcia certainly did not live up to expectations with the Brewers during the first few years of his career, he has been a force to reckon with in the minors at Gwinnett. Though it is unfair to expect for him to put up the numbers he did in AAA, if he can at least be productive in big moments, it will be a huge boost for the Braves moving forward.
Braves News
- Obviously, the news about Arcia being called up developed on Sunday morning before the game. With Arcia called up, Kyle Muller was optioned back to the minors. It should be noted Muller’s return to the minors is not indicative of his performance in Atlanta; it simply was an opportunity to add another bat for the Braves to utilize as the first half of the season comes to a close.
- Though he did not get the starting nod at second base for the National League in the 2021 All-Star Game, Ozzie Albies was named an All-Star for the second time in his career as a reserve. Albies will be joining Ronald Acuna Jr. and Freddie Freeman, both starters, in Colorado. Albies has certainly returned to health from 2020 and showed why he is one of the best second baseman in the majors.
- Gabe Burns dives deep into the significance and history of the Braves come from behind victory against the Marlins. Max Fried’s walk-off single can easily be labeled as one of the best hits by a Braves pitcher in the history of the franchise.
MLB NEWS
- The Red Sox led all teams with five All-Star representatives named to the 2021 All-Star Game. The Blue Jays and Astros had four All-Stars named to the AL roster, while the Padres were the only NL team with four All-Star nods. The Angels Shohei Ohtani, after an incredible two-way first half as a pitcher and hitter was named to the AL squad as both and perhaps will make an appearance at the plate and on the mound in Colorado.
- It seems like every week one of three NL West teams are having the best week in the majors. This week, it is the Dodgers, who completed their sweep over the Washington Nationals and have now won nine straight games. Though it seems all three of the Giants, Padres, and Dodgers are on pace for the postseason, the division race will be quite fun to watch in the second half of the season.
- Though the Padres earned a needed victory on Sunday. they also received a bit of unfortunate news. C.J. Abrams, San Diego’s second best prospect and the eighth overall prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, will be out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury as the result of an in-game collision. Though he was not expected to make an impact in the majors this season, he certainly was one of the more exciting and talented prospects playing this season.