Scoring more runs
When you hear fans say, “I’m glad Heredia’s back to add some pop to the Atlanta Braves lineup,” it’s an indicator all is not well with the lineup
Without a healthy Ronald Acuna Jr., the lineup is pretty punchless. Freeman is creeping back to form, and Albies shows signs of life, and Austin Riley’s riding a hot streak batting .341/.459/.523/.978 since April 17, but he’s doing that based on a .456 BAbip, that will surely fall unless he has a Chris Johnson year.
However, Ozuna’s been a paper tiger, and for the most part, the rest of the lineup hasn’t delivered when it had the opportunity.
PECOTA’s updated projection shows the Braves with a .501 winning percentage when the season ends. Going into tonight’s game, the Braves have a .463 winning percentage. Right now, PECOTA looks like what we see.
That’s a wrap
The loss of Ynoa means Fried and Anderson have to continue to pitch well, Morton has to get his act together, and Smyly has to stay healthy and continue to keep the Atlanta Braves in games.
It’s my view that expecting Soroka to return this year is a mistake. At some point, the club will have to add a starter. It’s too soon to know who might be available; the Rockies were shopping Gray, but they’ll hold on until closer to the deadline or ask for a bigger haul to trade now.
It’s getting close to put-up or shut-up time. The NL East is still there for the taking; how badly do the Braves want it?