House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves postseason chances may turn on who gets hot

By Fred Owens

ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 8: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on May 8, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 8: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammates after a 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on May 8, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 had another strong year as he led the Atlanta Braves to their first division championship in five years.(Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 had another strong year as he led the Atlanta Braves to their first division championship in five years. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

Who’s hot in the infield

Kurt Suzuki hit well most of the year including hitting .360/..441/.520/.961 with a .414 wOBA and 161 wRC+ in June. After a July lull, Suzuki improved in August and lit September up hitting .306/.361/.551/.915 with 142 wRC+.

It seems unnecessary to say Freddie Freeman enters the postseason hot. Freeman had a cold patch in August – .283/.366/.42/5/.791 and 115 wRC+ – that took him out of contention for MVP.  September saw him return to normal – .310/.366/.490/.856 and 122 wRC+. He ended the year having played in all 162 games and as the league-leader in both hits (191) and doubles (44).

Who’s hot in the outfield

It’s not a surprise that Ronald Acuna’s on this list. The presumptive NL Rookie of the Year started the season slowly, spent time on the DL and returned just before the break. Manager Brian Snitker inserted in as leadoff man while Ender Inciarte frantically looked for his lost bat – the one with all the hits in it.

I felt Acuña’ strikeouts made him a bad choice for the job and that might have been the case had Kevin Seitzer not taken him aside and pointed out a flaw in his mechanics. After the break, Acuña hit .322/.403/.625/1.028 that included 19 home runs, 15 doubles, and four triples.

August was his best month:  he hit .336/.405/.698/1.103 with 190 wRC+.  In September he managed just .303/.394/.514/.907 and 140 wRC+. That’s still hot.

Ender Inciarte had a first half to forget. Always a second-half player, this year saw him raise his average 60 points, his OBP 33 points, and his slugging up 112 points.

August produced his highest OPS of the year but September turned out to be his best month of the season. He hit so well the manager let him face both lefties and righties and Ender responded by hitting .292/.361/.417/.778 with 111 wRC+.

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