Friday night made the second straight game the Atlanta Braves scored 8 runs. After another win and a Phillies loss. the magic number to win the NL East has officially reached single digits (8). This happens to be the number of All-Stars the Braves sent to Seattle in 2023. Let's take a look at each of their seasons to date.
1. Ronald Acuna Jr.
At this point, there are really no words to describe Ronald Acuna Jr.'s season. He has done something that has never been done in the history of the sport (30 home runs and 60 stolen bases) and there are still 22 games left in the season. There should be no question who the National League MVP is.
After launching his 35th home run of the season on Friday night, reaching 40 long balls seems more and more likely before the season comes to a close.
.334 batting average, 35 HR, 90 RBI, 63 stolen bases
2. Spencer Strider
Because of his high-velocity fastball and absurd strikeout rate, Spencer Strider has become the most electric pitcher in baseball. He has put up dominant numbers all season long.
Strider has been a part of National League Cy Young Award conversations but due to a few bad starts that have inflated his ERA, that honor is looking a little less likely. Even if he does not win the Cy Young Award, he will still have one of the best seasons of any starting pitcher this year, maybe ever.
162 innings pitched, 16-5 record, 3.83 ERA, 250 strikeouts
3. Ozzie Albies
Ozzie Albies earned his third all-star appearance of his career this season. The switch-hitting second basemen has found a home in the number two spot of the Braves batting order. The mix of his power and speed threat right after MVP front-runner Ronald Acuna Jr. is a real spark plug for this offense.
.264 batting average, 29 homeruns, 91 RBIs
.
4. Austin Riley
This was the second straight season that Austin Riley earned a roster spot for the N.L. All-Stars. As his career lengthens, Riley seems to be getting more and more comfortable. This is a player that has the potential to hit 50-60 home runs in a season one day.
.274 batting average, 34 HR, 85 RBIs.