3 takeaways: Freddie Freeman, Josh Donaldson power Atlanta Braves to series win

Freddie Freeman and  Josh Donaldson continue the Braves power barrage

Twenty-six.

That’s the number of home runs the Atlanta Braves hit over the 10-game homestand they just wrapped up, good enough for an average of 2.6 long balls per game.

On Wednesday, the power show came from Freddie Freeman and Josh Donaldson.

One night after the 3-4 duo were the only two Braves to drive in runs vs Mets ace Jacob deGrom – each with a solo blast in an otherwise forgettable 10-2 beating – they did more of the same against left-hander Steven Matz.

They wasted no time.

In the 1st inning, it was Freddie Freeman who smashed his 21st bomb of 2019 – a 411-ft rocket shot that was smashed to the opposite field.

For Freeman, the June 19th homer is the earliest date he’s ever hit his 21st homer in his career, as he finds himself performing at an MVP-caliber pace right now.

The All-Star first baseman has hit .326 with a .403 OBP since May 10th, with 14 home runs in that stretch.

Not to be outdone, Josh Donaldson also crushed a 6th inning pitch to the SunTrust Park outfield seats to extend the Atlanta lead.

The Bringer of Rain might more aptly be described the Bringer of Thunderstorms with his impressive work lately.

Since June 1st, Donaldson has slammed seven home runs to create an extremely powerful lefty-righty tandem with Freeman in the middle of the Braves order.

As a team, Atlanta is now up to 115 home runs for the season, third best in the National League and at a pace that would far surpass any home run totals from the last several seasons in Atlanta.

The Freeman-Donaldson power source of the Braves’ lineup is a big reason for that production.