5 players in the NL East who could derail the Braves playoff chances
We have always been taught that one player cannot win or lose a contest for a team. It sure doesn’t feel that way when these guys play the Braves.
A lesson that every baseball player is taught in Little League is the fact that one player cannot win or lose a ballgame for his team. However, some players seem to be the key to success for their respective squads when facing the Atlanta Braves.
As we get closer to 2024, we thought it would be good to take a look at five different players in the NL East who could cause some issues for the Braves. If these players perform well, it could result in more wins for their teams, meaning more of a battle for Atlanta playing baseball in October.
Trea Turner
2024 Zips DC projections: .290 average, 25 HR, 88 RBI, and 28 stolen bases
Trea Turner got off to a horrific start with the Philadelphia Phillies after he signed a massive contract. However, in the middle of his struggles, the Phillies faithful decided to give him a standing ovation in the middle of a slump to show their support and he immediately returned to form.
Turner playing at his full potential takes the Phillies to another level. In case you forgot, Philadelphia has eliminated the Braves from the playoffs the last two seasons. A healthy, MVP-caliber Turner could help Philadelphia win the division and keep the Braves from even making the playoffs.
Trea Turner does it again!🔥🔥
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) September 13, 2023
Ninth inning HR to tie it up with the Braves 6-6
He has 11 homers in the last 13 games!
pic.twitter.com/kSerTgwK4C
Even during his time in Washington, Turner seems to always bring his best when playing against Atlanta. He has faced the Braves in 111 games since debuting in 2015 and carries a line of .305/.352/.512 through 501 plate appearances. His 142 hits against Atlanta include 27 doubles, 6 triples, 19 home runs, and 58 runs batted in.
Turner only batted .204 against the Braves during the 2023 regular season over 19 games played but that changed during the NLDS. He had a .471 average with 8 hits including 2 doubles, 2 homers, and 2 RBI. When the games counted, Turner found a way to get things done. Will he be great against Atlanta in 2024? His past performance points to that being likely.
Bryce Harper
2024 projections (ZiPS DC): .281 average, 30 HR, 97 RBI, and 13 stolen bases
Bryce Harper is entering his 13th season in Major League Baseball. That may be hard to believe as he is just 31 years young but that is the case. Injuries have done a number on Harper in the last few seasons. However, he has now found a home at first base and in the DH position which just may lead to more production.
Ever since he made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals, Harper has been a certified “Braves killer.” In 183 games against Atlanta, Harper is a .263 hitter with 44 HR, 106 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. Unfortunately, we can expect more of the same from Harper in 2024.
Atlanta fans have never really had a lot of love for Harper as their relationship didn't start off on a good note. Things have slowly gotten better as he has matured as a person and player but the boos will still rain down from Truist Park when he steps to the plate. Things will likely be a little tense in 2024 as Orlando Arcia's comments about Harper's baserunning blunder during the NLDS still linger.
Zack Wheeler
2024 projections Zips DC: (12-8), 3.61 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 5.1 fWAR
Wheeler is the third and final Philadelphia Phillie on this list. He seems to have found his stride on the mound in 2023 going 13-6 with a 3.61 ERA last season, finishing 6th in the Cy Young Award voting for the NL.
Every time Wheeler faces the Braves he has some extra motivation as he is from the heart of Braves country (Smyrna, GA). He has faced the Braves 27 times in his career. He is 12-7 with a 3.18 ERA and Braves’ hitters have a combined average of .238 against Wheeler. We can keep our fingers crossed that the Braves miss him in a series or two against Philadelphia but that won’t be likely.