The Braves still haven’t lost a series and have already built a commanding lead in the division — one that’s going to be difficult for any of their rivals to erase.
And they’ve done it while nowhere near full strength.
That’s what makes this team so dangerous. They own the best record in baseball, lead the league in runs scored, have the second-best run differential, and are about to welcome back three massive pieces in the coming weeks.
While Atlanta was wrapping up a series win over the Phillies on Sunday, Spencer Strider was making his third rehab start. He struck out seven over five innings while allowing two earned runs, continuing to flash encouraging signs. The hard-throwing right-hander was up to 82 pitches, and I would wager his next start will come with a tomahawk sitting across his chest.
Sean Murphy is on a similar timeline. He’s now appeared in eight minor-league games and seems to be finding a rhythm at the plate after a slow start, going 3-for-4 with a 107 MPH double in his latest outing. His return feels imminent, and while Drake Baldwin has done an admirable job filling in, Murphy’s impact — especially defensively — can’t be overstated when he’s right.
For even more positive news on the injury front, look no further than Ha-Seong Kim. The Double-A Columbus Clingstones recently announced he will begin his rehab assignment — the first MLB rehab assignment in the franchise’s history.
Kim, a former Gold Glove winner and one of the premier defensive infielders in the game, was re-signed this offseason to a one-year, $20 million deal before an unfortunate — and bizarre — injury sidelined him after he tore a tendon in his finger slipping on ice in Korea.
Like Murphy, the Braves haven’t exactly struggled to patch things together in his absence. Mauricio Dubón has been excellent as the everyday shortstop, and even Jorge Mateo has contributed admirably in a limited role. But Kim’s return gives Walt Weiss far more flexibility, allowing Dubón to slide into his more natural super-utility role.
It also should give the Braves a boost in left field where production has been lacking thanks to Jurickson Profar’s 162-game suspension for PEDs.
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(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)
