Atlanta Braves: 3 Takeaways from Sunday’s extra-inning loss to the Brewers
By Steven Teal
2. Freddie Freeman Hits Career Home Run #200
The Atlanta Braves first baseman came into the series finale with the Brewers having hit 3 home runs in 3 days. He had never hit a home run in 4 consecutive games in his career.
That changed on Sunday as he launched a home run in the 7th inning to tie the game for Atlanta.
https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1130187698906521600
This was historic for Freeman as it also signified his 200th career home run. This milestone placed him 9th on the Atlanta Braves franchise home run leader list.
#Braves Franchise Home Run Leaders:
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 19, 2019
1. Hank Aaron - 733
2. Eddie Mathews - 493
3. Chipper Jones - 468
4. Dale Murphy - 371
5. Andruw Jones - 368
6. Joe Adcock - 239
7. Bob Horner - 215
8. Javy Lopez - 214
9. Freddie Freeman - 200
10. Wally Berger - 199
It’s also important to mention that Freeman is only 3 doubles away from another milestone of 300 career doubles. This would place him in quite elite company.
With three more doubles, Freddie Freeman will become just the 6th player in #Braves franchise history with 300 doubles and 200 home runs.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 19, 2019
The others: Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones and Dale Murphy.
He has been on absolute fire lately and loves hitting against the Brew Crew.
In his last 14 games against the Brewers, Freddie Freeman carries a .434 average, 1.497 OPS, 6 home runs, 14 RBI, and 15 runs scored.
Even apart from Milwaukee, he’s on a tear: in the entire month of May, Freeman is hitting a remarkable slash line of .338/.377/.677/1.054 (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS) with a 175 Runs Created score.
Those are absolutely ridiculous numbers and it was all put on display this weekend.
It shouldn’t surprise any of us that he has found so much success at the plate recently. He is on pace for a 35+ home run season and I hope he gets there.
Freddie Freeman is hitting .314/.406/.566 (.972 OPS) w/ 10 HR, 28 RBIs, 25 walks in 45 games (46 team games). He's on pace for 35 homers, for those folks who contended two weeks into the season that he didn't have big power anymore.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) May 19, 2019
Freeman continues to torture opposing pitching and picks his team up when they need him most and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
1. Ronald Acuna Jr. Loves Batting First
The Atlanta Braves have been blessed by the talent that is Ronald Acuna Jr. He continued to impress on Sunday as he launched his 9th career lead off home run in the first inning off of Brandon Woodruff.
#Braves Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 9th career lead-off homer.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 19, 2019
Distance: 450 feet
Exit velocity: 112 mph
Since moving back into the leadoff spot, Acuna Jr. carries a .297 average with a .381 OBP and .481 slugging percentage.
This move hasn’t just sparked his bat but it has also ignited something through the rest of the team. Since moving Acuna Jr. to the top of the lineup, the Braves are 7-1 and have increased their run production.
Still relevant. https://t.co/OyY3QGWMiy
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) May 19, 2019
Acuna Jr. is great at setting the tone for this lineup and I expect he will stay in that role for the remainder of the season. It has been a nice boost for Atlanta.
Austin Riley being injected into the lineup has also added some more energy into an already electric clubhouse.
Next. The Beasts of the East. dark
It will be fun to see how things unfold the remainder of the season. I like where things are headed and I hope they continue trending in this direction as they head out west again.