Atlanta Braves: Could Ronald Acuna Jr. Steal Mookie Betts' New Record?
Mookie Betts is probably going to lose the MVP race to Ronald Acuna Jr. but could he also lose the shiny new record he set on Saturday?
By Seth Carter
On Friday night, the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr. became the fifth player to have a 40-40 season
(40 HR and 40 SB) when he swatted his 40th homer of 2023. He is the only player to ever have a 40-50 or a 40-60 season. With eight games left, Acuna needs just two more steals to make it 40-70.
Ronald Acuna Jr.'s MVP Resume in 2023
All season long it appeared Acuna would win the NL MVP with little competition. A part of the reason this chatter started so early is because Acuna has been incredibly consistent this year. He hasn't had a bad month.
March/April: .352/.440.546, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 13 SB
May: .298/.372/.561, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB
June: .356/.429/.683, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 14 SB
July: .326/.423/.494, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 14 SB
August: .353/.432/.574, 6 HR, 22 RBI, 11 SB
September (thru 09/23): .333/.394/.750, 10 HR, 18 RBI, 6 SB
Acuna saved his best (in terms of power) for last. With eight games remaining having the best slugging month of the season. The 10 homers in September are already a season high on a monthly basis. Right when folks started to put Mookie's name in the MVP conversation, Acuna slammed the door shut.
Mookie Betts Sets New All-Time RBI Record for Leadoff Hitter
Meanwhile, Mookie Betts just set the all-time record for most RBI as a leadoff hitter. Betts had a two-run double to give him 105 RBI on the season, surpassing Charlie Blackmon's record of 103, set in 2017.
Can Ronald Acuna Jr. Claim Leadoff RBI Record Before Season's End?
Acuna is currently sitting on 101 RBI for the season. He's a grand slam away from tying Betts today.
Acuna has eight games left and Betts has seven. With the Braves playing a doubleheader on Sunday, he could easily take the lead by the end of the weekend, especially with the way he is slugging the ball right now.
Mookie has had an incredible season but Acuna's is historical. It would only be fitting to see Acuna add another record to his collection in 2023.
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