Atlanta Braves had hoped that they would see their biggest stars show up in the postseason. Unfortunately, that hasn't really been the case, and now the Braves face elimination in Game 4 of the NLDS. Chris Sale's rough start in Game 3 and the offense disappearing weren't what anyone expected. Now Atlanta has to play their best baseball to force a fifth and final game.
Fans hoped Ronald Acuña Jr. would show up big in the playoffs, but he's been absent in pretty much every game. His underperformance has many questioning his future with the team.
It's shocking to see that Acuña is 3-for-21 in the postseason, with two stolen bases, four walks, and four strikeouts. That's not the most promising thing to see. And it's confusing because he looked locked in during most of September.
Ronald Acuña Jr.'s disappearing act in the playoffs could jeapordize his future with the Braves
After he fouled a ball off his shin on September 22nd, things seemed to take a turn. Not saying an injury justifies the underperformance, but something changed after that. Since suffering his shin contusion, Acuña is 5-for-35 (including the playoffs) with three stolen bases, four walks, and six strikeouts.
That is not good enough from one of the best players on the team. It brings up some uncomfortable thoughts about his future with this team. He has a club option for 2027 and 2028. There's no way they move on from him next year, but it doesn't mean they won't explore the possibility.
This postseason has just shown his lack of clutch play in the playoffs. This year, he's just looked a little lost at the plate. Maybe he's trying too hard to hit a home run each time, rather than just putting the ball in play.
The pressure of needing to help the team out can really hurt a player's mindset at the plate. If he can just get that one big hit, he'd probably relax immediately. However, he isn't the only player who needs to break out of their funk.
Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson have been just as bad as Acuña. Olson is 4-for-23 with one home run, three RBI, two walks, nine strikeouts, and a .535 OPS. Baldwin's first taste of the playoffs has been terrible, as he's 3-for-23 with one double, two RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts.
That means Atlanta's top of the lineup is 10-for-67 in the postseason thus far. Those are absolutely brutal and unacceptable numbers. If it weren't for Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II, the Braves probably wouldn't be playing in the NLDS.
If the Braves want to make it to the NLCS, they need their best players stepping up, and that starts with Acuña. Seeing him perform at the level he is capable of would instill a lot of confidence in everyone.
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