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Atlanta Braves clear-cut MVP so far is Nick Markakis

By Dan Horton

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves and the National League walks out of the dugout during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Nick Markakis #22 of the Atlanta Braves and the National League walks out of the dugout during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 21: Second baseman Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by right fielder Nick Markakis #22 after Albies scored in the fourth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 21, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 21: Second baseman Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by right fielder Nick Markakis #22 after Albies scored in the fourth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on September 21, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

One Year Ago

We begin with the slashes: 2017 Nick Markakis slash looks as so – .275/.354/.384/.738. He had 39 doubles, 1 triple, 68 walks, 76 RBI, and 8 HR’s.

In 2018, Kakes has raised or is on pace to surpass all of these 2017 numbers. His slash so far is .319/.386/.492/.878. He has 32 doubles, 1 triple, 49 walks, 69 RBI, and 13 HR’s.

Also, he struck out 110 times in 2017 and so far in 2018, he has only logged 53. He also leads the National League in hits with 135, well on his way to 200 or more hits. Kakes’ OPS+ in 2017 was under 100 at 97. In 2018, he’s blown way past that and sits at a 140 OPS+.

If you believe in omens, signs, or just divine intervention, his walk-off home run to begin the season not only set the tone for the entire team, but also his year altogether.

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