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Atlanta Braves’ September Outlook: 5 Things to Watch For

By Alan Carpenter

Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) looks on as his team plays the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. The Braves won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) looks on as his team plays the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. The Braves won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) doubles driving in two runs against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Nationals defeated the Braves 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) doubles driving in two runs against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Turner Field. The Nationals defeated the Braves 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

3.  Ender Inciarte and Freddie Freeman

Both started slow, but both are also on a tear.

4.4 WAR and 2.8 WAR – these easily lead the Braves.  In fact, Freddie Freeman is now the number 1 first baseman in all of baseball in that category.

Better than Anthony Rizzo.  Better than Paul Goldschmidt.  Better than Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, Edwin Encarnacion, Chris Davis… all of them.

Inciarte derives much of his “value” in that WAR figure from his defense, but that’s also true of many center fielders not named Trout.  Still, he’s 9th in the majors here and if you isolate his season to the portion after the All-Star break, he’s 2nd only to Mike Trout (2.4 to 2.3).

Wanna know why the Braves have been winning more often lately?  It’s because of this pair tearing up the league.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:  In this case, just watch both play.  They are performing are elite levels and that’s worth a look-see in every game that remains.  (P.S. – that was all written before Freeman punched out his 28th homer!)

Next: Emerging Arms

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