Atlanta Braves Back in First Behind Emerging Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Atlanta Braves are again in first place in the National League East, leading the Phillies by a game.   With roughly six weeks left in the season, it is the Braves’ offense doing the heavy lifting.

Watching the Atlanta Braves over the last week they again look like the exciting team we watched at the start of the season. Getting on base at a high clip and knocking in plenty of two-out runs the offense is helping carry the team.

There has been no bigger contributor than Ronald Acuna Jr. who is absolutely raking in the leadoff role. Watching him homer in yesterday’s doubleheader it was obvious what a spark plug he is for Atlanta.

The swagger he brings to the leadoff position and just how good of a hitter he is already. Each week he seems to improve, learning a new skill set on display yesterday with his opposite-field single.

It was after his second leadoff homer of the day, a tone-setter and a game changer Atlanta has been lacking for some time. Another big contributor has been Johan Camargo, moving the Braves third baseman to the fifth spot in the lineup has had an instant impact on the offense.

Claiming first place in August has helped put any collapsing concerns to rest for Atlanta. Now in the dog days of the summer, they must shift their focus and hold off the Phillies.

With Washington falling to seven games back it is hard to believe they will be able to put a charge together to overtake the Phillies and Braves. It appears to be a two-team race with six weeks left in the season.

For Atlanta to win their offensive performance must continue as they work to hold off an equally talented Philly roster.

With two series left at the end of September between the two clubs if they stay close the season promises an exciting finish. One Atlanta fans hope will finally end in a postseason berth for this new generation of Baby Braves.