The Braves continue to play solid baseball as we approach the final month of the season. As things stand right now, the team is 74-61, five games back from the division lead, and holds the third NL Wild Card spot.
Their current series with the Phillies is very important and could set them up for an exciting finish to the 2024 season. One Braves player has been doing his best to make life difficult for the Phillies and it was somewhat unexpected.
Orlando Arcia plays the villain in Braves win over the Phillies
Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia hasn't had the most incredible season but he's enjoyed torturing the Phillies. On the season, Arcia is batting .228 with 15 home runs and 41 RBI.
However, over his last seven games, Orlando is batting .292 with seven hits including three homers and four RBI. He added to that impressive stretch with a 2-for-3 performance on Friday night in Philadelphia.
Orlando Arcia AGAIN 🔥
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 31, 2024
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/3joDX0Jjuq
Arcia slugged two homers and drew a walk as Atlanta went on to beat the Phillies 7-2. Philly fans have been mercilessly booing Orlando every time he comes to the plate. They've not liked him very much since the Harper incident last season and a recent "stare down" moment during this season.
It seems Arcia has accepted the role and is happy to run with it as he has a .333 average against the Phillies in 11 games this season. This includes 13 hits over 39 at-bats with four doubles, three homers, and five RBI. He's not who Braves fans expected to be an x-factor this series but he's become one.
Braves provide injury update on Ozzie Albies
Fans have been awaiting an update on second baseman Ozzie Albies. The team provided an update ahead of Friday's game but it unfortunately keeps Albies out longer than hoped. There was a feeling he was healing well enough that he might return at the beginning of September.
Ozzie Albies is hitting off a tee, but he's not nearing a Minor League rehab stint. Initial progress was promising, but it seems like the initial ETA of second half of September might end up being correct.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 30, 2024
However, the update provided seems to keep the timetable in the middle of September before he returns. Albies has started hitting off a tee and doing light baseball activities but he isn't ready for a rehab assignment just yet.
It's been tough to not have Albies in the lineup every day since fracturing his wrist in July during a series against the Cardinals. However, the Braves have gotten decent production out of Whit Merrifield in his absence. But the power threat Ozzie provides is irreplaceable and it will be great to have him back soon.
Former Braves NLCS hero released by the Giants
Former Atlanta Braves reliever Tyler Matzek was traded about a month ago along with Sabin Ceballos to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson. Matzek had been on the IL so he wasn't a factor for the team but it was still sad to see him go.
His performance in the 2021 NLCS will forever remain cemented in the minds of Braves fans. Unfortunately, Matzek was placed on waivers by the Giants earlier this week but he went unclaimed and the Giants placed him on unconditional release waivers.
So it begins…
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 29, 2024
The Giants have placed Thairo Estrada, Tyler Matzek and Taylor Rogers on waivers.
(Via: @Ken_Rosenthal) pic.twitter.com/fuMz2Ip0Es
The Giants had sent Matzek to Triple-A on a rehab stint a couple of weeks ago where he made five appearances. He allowed four runs through 4.2 innings which isn't great but he's returning from injury so struggles are expected. This shows other teams he is healthy enough to pitch and could land him somewhere soon.
It stinks for Matzek after how hard he worked to get back to the big leagues. However, if anyone has the mentality to do it, it's Tyler. We hope he lands on his feet somewhere soon.