The first-place Atlanta Braves are going to make the 2023 MLB playoffs. That much is certain.
Now, Brian Snitker is playing for home-field advantage to lock up as many potential playoff games at Truist Park as possible. The pieces are coming together after Max Fried's recent return to action, Ozzie Albies back in the Braves lineup on Monday night, and Kyle Wright's eventual return to the mount.
Atlanta's will hope to chip into its magic numbers and get back in the win column with game one of a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies starting Monday night in Denver.
What to watch for in Monday's game
Braves HR Derby Sequel
When the Rockies and Braves met earlier this year, the full power of this Atlanta-based battle station was on full display.
Behind 11 home runs over four games in June, the Braves swept the Rockies in the midst of what would be an eight-game winning streak. Fast forward two months and neither team has diverted from that path we expected them to go down after that game. The Braves are still hitting a lot of homers and the Rockies are still giving up a lot (second-most in MLB this year).
The Atlanta offense shows no signs of slowing down, and it's unlikely they will in an environment like Coors Field.
Bryce bouncing back
After an incredible first half of the season that led to an All-Star appearance, Bryce Elder has seen a very hard regression in the second half.
Over his first five post-All-Star break starts, he posted a 6.48 ERA with opponents posting a .790 OPS against him in that stretch. His last two starts have been a pleasant return to form, throwing 7 shutout, one-hit innings against the Yankees before a one-run outing against the Mets.
He'll be tested in his first career start at Coors Field, and if he can ace this and continue to provide some consistency to the middle of the Braves rotation, Atlanta will feel more confident throwing him out there for a playoff start this October.
Acuña hearing footsteps on in the MVP
Like it or not, the MVP race is heating up for Ronald Acuña Jr. in the National League.
Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts continue to hit the ball well and are neck and neck with Ronald in several offensive categories.
This series with the Rockies presents a huge opportunity for Ronald to reassert himself as the top dog in the race for Most Valuable Player, in a ballpark where he has thrived so far in his short career.
In seven games (small sample size, yes) at Coors Field, Acuña is hitting .414 with an OPS above 1.200. With a big series followed by impressive numbers in the upcoming series against the Dodgers, the MVP narrative can shift back in Ronald's favor in a big way.