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Takeaways as Atlanta Braves get back on track with 3-2 win over Cubs

By Steven Teal

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 25: A general view of Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves on June 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 25: A general view of Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves on June 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 25: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Bravesis greeted at dugout by coaches and teammates after hitting a two run home run in the 7th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 25: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Bravesis greeted at dugout by coaches and teammates after hitting a two run home run in the 7th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 3-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. The Acuna and Albies Show

The Atlanta Braves offense was powered by their two young phenoms. Ronald Acuna Jr. got the night started by launching a no-doubt home run to left field on the first pitch of the game.

I’m not sure how that stayed in the stadium. Acuna absolutely put a charge into that ball for his 19th home run of the season.

Acuna is currently batting .303/.357/.566 with a .916 OPS when there are no outs in an inning. I don’t know what it is about leading off an inning or hitting with no outs but Acuna flourishes there.

He now has 31 career home runs when batting leadoff for the Atlanta Braves. This places him in a tie for the sixth most homers all-time in the history of the Atlanta Braves franchise.

When leading off in 2019, Acuna is slashing .289/.338/.537 with a .876 OPS. The Braves will not be moving him from this spot anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Ozzie Albies continued his clutch ways and once again stated his case to be at the All-Star Game in Cleveland. He gave the Atlanta Braves a 3-2 lead Tuesday night by launching a 2-run home run to right center field.

Albies has simply been incredible in his short career against the Chicago Cubs.

In 15 career games against the Cubs, the Braves second baseman carries a .483 batting average when facing them. He also has an active hitting streak of 13 games against the Cubs heading into Wednesday’s game.

Not to mention, Albies has been on fire in the month of June. He is hitting .337 across 23 games with 13 extra base hits including 7 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 homers. His on-base percentage sits at .408 and is slugging an impressive .616 with an OPS over 1,000.

When these two are locked in at the plate, every team needs to watch out. The Atlanta Braves are 6-1 when Acuna and Albies hit home runs in the same game. I can’t wait to see how many more times these two will accomplish this feat in their careers.

This Braves team is resilient and continues to find ways to win even when the offense struggles. Different guys step up when they are needed the most and that’s what makes this team so dangerous.

Next. Down on the Farm. dark

I have been impressed by how well this team has played together. The offense may be even more lethal than it was in 2018. If the Atlanta Braves make the right moves at the trading deadline, you’ll see this team make a playoff run.

The Braves will take on the Cubs in Game 3 of the series on Wednesday evening at 8:05 PM EST. Probable starters are Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Yu Darvish (2-3, 4.75 ERA).

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