The Braves have won seven of their last nine games, much of which can be attributed to stellar pitching, a formula that has worked all season and will continue to be the recipe for success going into October.
However, the Braves pitching staff hasn’t done it alone. Though it’s been quiet for much of the season, the offense has done its part in recent weeks, especially the newcomers.
Three players who were designated for assignment and one trade deadline acquisition in near-everyday roles have been a tremendous boost for Atlanta’s lineup; those players are Gio Urshela, Ramon Laurenao, Whit Merrifield, and Jorge Soler, the latter of two have had significant impacts.
On Monday, Merrifield, who was DFA’d by the Phillies, batted leadoff for the Braves for the first time since joining Atlanta about a month ago. All he did was go 5-for-5 with a double and two runs in the Braves’ 10-6 win over the Twins.
With Philly, Merrifield hit an unsightly .199 with a .572 OPS in 53 games. Since joining their NL East rivals in the south, Merrifield has completely turned it around, slashing .313/.427/.450 with an .877 OPS in 26 games.
Atlanta’s stand-in second baseman has been everything Braves fans have become accustomed to. Disappointing players coming to Atlanta and becoming the best versions of themselves is something that has become synonymous with the Braves.
It wasn’t exactly the case for much of the season. Adam Duvall came back in the offseason and struggled. Eddie Rosario was DFA’d by the Nationals and was even worse for the Braves. That’s changed with the recent crop of acquisitions, none more important than Merrifield and Jorge Soler.
Alex Anthopoulous went back to well at the 2024 trade deadline, picking up Soler to help replace an injured Ronald Acuna Jr., similar to what he did in 2021. Soler has produced an .836 OPS in 19 games.
The Braves are hanging on to the final spot in the NL Wild Card, 3.0 games ahead of the Mets. With one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, the club has a chance if they can get into the dance.
Merrifield, Soler, and the rest of the recent acquisitions will have to continue to do their part, but there’s no reason to think the Braves can’t sneak into the postseason, get Austin Riley back, and make a magical run.
—
Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.