(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)
The Atlanta Braves were dealt a devastating blow to their playoff chances in 2021 as this past Saturday their best player Ronald Acuna Jr. tore the ACL in his right knee attempting to catch a Jazz Chisholm fly ball to deep right field this past weekend Saturday just a few days before the All-Star break. In case you missed it, check it out from Bally Sports: Braves on Twitter:
Ronald Acuña Jr. exits the game after injuring his knee going for an outfield catch. #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/9HNIKaK11t
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 10, 2021
This is obviously a significant loss for a team that has struggled to get themselves to a .500 record this season and now Acuna will be down and out for at least nine to ten months which puts the beginning of next season in doubt for him.
As it sits right now, the Braves are 44-45 and currently sit in third place in the NL East, four games behind the first-place New York Mets and a half-game behind the Philadelphia Phillies.
The biggest question moving forward is, who most needs to step up for Atlanta moving into the second half of the season?
ICYMI, I discussed this topic during hour one of The Word With G on Monday, check it out here.
In addition, I put out a poll on Twitter trying to see what you the fans thought about the situation.
Who's the Brave that MUST step up for this season to not be a wash?@ESPNChattanooga
— Greg Larnerd (@G_ESPN1051) July 12, 2021
So, with these choices who do you think must step up for the Braves for them to have a chance in the second half?
I can make a case for any of these choices but here’s what a couple of listeners thought…
Freeman will be Freeman, he's not the pick here. Danby's glove is legit just super inconsistent at the plate. When he sprays it all over the field, he's really good at the plate. The obvious choice IMO are the bottom two choices. Just pick one.
— Tike Gooden (@TikeGooden) July 12, 2021
To me its Dansby. He has to be consistent and cut down the Ks. He Ks in 28.2% of his ABs. Also may need Kyle Muller to step up and provide more quality starts. Anderson is having his shoulder examined and Snitker said he may go go the IL.
— DanMan (@DanMan267) July 12, 2021
There’s one vote for either Orlando Arcia or Guillermo Heredia/Ehire Adrianza and one vote for Dansby Swanson.
The first three guys will be filling in mostly in the outfield so that makes sense, they’ll be the direct replacement for Acuna, and Arcia has been very good since being called up from Triple-A as he’s hitting .350 with five RBI’s, three runs, a double, and a home run in seven games.
As for Swanson, he’s going to be asked to fill a bigger role by being moved up in the lineup which means more responsibility. Despite his inconsistency as a hitter Swanson has been more consistent as of late by hitting .306 with four RBI’s, five runs scored, and five doubles in the month of July.
However, my answer to this question would be the best player left on the Braves, the former MVP Freddie Freeman is more than capable of carrying an offense and I feel that is exactly what Atlanta will need to overtake the division by season end. Freeman hasn’t had an MVP type season thus far but he has one of the best hard-hit rates in the league which means he’s squaring the ball up, the ball’s just finding fielders, unfortunately. He has been heating up as of late though, in the month of July he’s hitting .371 with a .476 on-base percentage, six RBI’s, four runs, two doubles, two home runs, and six walks.
If the Braves can get Freeman hot for the remainder of the season he’s the one who can be the catalyst to spark this season to stay competitive for the remainder of this season.
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