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3 Takeaways from Atlanta Braves’ series win vs. Cardinals

By Alan Carpenter

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 16: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third on his way to score in the sixth inning of an MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at SunTrust Park on May 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 16: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third on his way to score in the sixth inning of an MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at SunTrust Park on May 16, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 15: Charlie Culberson #8 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after a two-run homer in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at SunTrust Park on May 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 15: Charlie Culberson #8 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after a two-run homer in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at SunTrust Park on May 15, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Bench Beast

I jested last night that Charlie Culberson might end up with a 30-game hitting streak while having just 30 AB.

Let’s check his game logs…

  • 5/16:  1 for 1
  • 5/15:  1 for 1 (homer, 2 RBI, scored)
  • 5/14:  1 for 2 (RBI)
  • 5/12:  3 for 4 (scored)
  • 5/9:  pinch-ran, no PA
  • 5/8:  1 for 1 (scored)

So in reality, he now is sporting a 5 game hitting streak while going 7 for 9 (.777) with 3 RBI, 3 runs scored and a homer.  That’ll work.

I suggested earlier that nobody tell Riley that this game is this easy, but maybe Riley has been talking with Charlie Culberson.

I don’t get how he can be pointed to on the bench, grab a bat, come in cold and then hit a baseball… with authority.

He’s now hitting .469 for the year with video game numbers across the board (including an .813 slugging percentage).  It’s truly surreal.

Twitter being twitter, many are already calling for Culberson to be elected to the All-Star game.  That would be sweet, but it can’t happen… he doesn’t have a single position for which he could be submitted:  there is no ‘bench bat’ slot available.

Kinda.

Here’s a scenario or two that would work:

  • ‘Last Fan Vote’ – he could stand a chance to be elected with this ‘consolation prize’ entry after the regular voting ends.  That’s the only “election” scheme that could actually happen.
  • Injury replacement for an elected or selected player
  • Outright selection by the NL Manager (Dave Roberts of the Dodgers this year)

So it could happen.  And there is precendent:  Omar Infante was honored with a All-Star nod in 2010 as a utility player.  He hit .305 that season.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves finally actually have reliable pinch hitters available for the first time in my recent (last 10+ years or so) memory… Matt Diaz is the only one that really comes to mind.

Between Culberson, Johan Camargo, and Matt Joyce… I like this team’s chances off the bench.

But the champion is this unassuming beast named Charlie Culberson.

Next. Targets (to be) acquired?. dark

This team continues to surprise… hopefully that continues this weekend.

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