Braves Magic Number to win the NL East is 21; What statistic does this number represent?
If you have been following House That Hank Built, you have noticed that each time the Braves' magic number to win the division dwindles, an article shows up discussing a player who wears or has worn that jersey number or it aligns with a statistic from the historic 2023 Braves team. See if you can guess this one.
By Austin Owens
The Philadelphia Phillies won again last night but so did the Atlanta Braves. This seems to be the story of the season, hence the Phillies getting hot but still trailing the Braves in the division by 14 games.
With both of these teams winning on Saturday, the Braves' magic number to win the division dropped once more. Atlanta’s magic number now sits at 21, the same amount of Ozzie Albies doubles this season.
Albies has been placed on the injured list with hamstring soreness since August 14th. Prior to his injury, Albies had started the first 117 games of the season.
The three-time All-Star is hitting .267 this season with 28 home runs, two shy of tying his career high. He has 53 total extra-base hits in 2023, counting his 28 homers.
Ozzie Albies has been consistent across his 7 years in the big leagues so far. He is always a threat at the plate and competes for a Gold Glove Award every year. The only aspect of his game that has changed on a regular basis is where his name is on the lineup card.
In 2023, Albies found a home in the 2 spot behind Ronald Acuna Jr. The combination of Acuna’s ability to get on base and put himself in scoring position and Albies’ power to drive him in is a recipe for success. The Braves have witnessed that quite often this season.
While Albies is sidelined, trade deadline acquisition Nicky Lopez has seen most of the playing time at second base with a hint of Vaughn Grissom. The Braves as a team have not missed a beat as they collected their MLB-leading 84th win last night and now sit 40 games above .500 atop the NL East.
Michael Harris II has returned to the Rookie of the Year player he was in 2022. Harris has had the majority of the at-bats in the two slot with Albies out. Now, the question will be how Brian Snitker will adjust the lineup when Albies returns so that Atlanta can be at full strength heading into the postseason.