The Ronnie Factor

 

I think the idea the Braves are trying to sell you is that this team is different without Ronald Acuna Jr. Before he came back they were listless, since his return they've been better, he could lead them back to glory. That would be the preferable sell at least. But A.) the Braves famously won a World Series without Acuna, and B.) even since Acuna's return they've gotten caught in losing stretches. They just want you to forget that cause they've been better since the 9th. But...even if the 2021 team could win without Acuna, this isn't that team.

Firstly, let's at least acknowledge that this is peak Acuna once again, as expected. Last season before the injury he was muted and lesser, now he's very much his old self. In 28 games he's hitting .396 with 9 homers and 16 RBIs. That is Ronald Aucna. This is what he does. It is concerning that he's accumulated that few RBIs given the homer totals, as even Sean Murphy, who's hit 9 homers in 47 games, still has 22 RBIs. Is it just that hard to bat runs in on this team? Is having Nick Allen, Alex Verdugo, Eli White and Bryan de la Cruz as late lineup options really gonna make sure Acuna and Olson can bat runs in? Come on now. 

As much as this team has lost already, they're now losing even more. Chris Sale's likely out for a month or so. Smith-Shawver is out just after getting the hang of things. So much of the team they thought they'd have in March [Lopez, Profar, Kelenic, Arcia] has let them down, and now they're doing their best to keep up. Alex Verdugo is still proving why people put way too much stock in him before, he's yet to hit a home run this season. Austin Riley has 12 homers but is more 'fine' than anything this year. Ozzie Albies is also pretty mediocre. Sean Murphy has improved but now that Drake Baldwin has appeared he's suddenly become Travis D'Arnaud, scaring up a good pace as a backup. Baldwin's hitting .293 with 8 homers, and people are already crying Rookie of the Year but can we at least pick someone who has a good chance of sustaining this success over a career? 

Even still, the Braves have won some nice series' recently, dominating the Brewers, Rockies, Mets and Marlins. This week gives them two more division matchups, the Mets and Phils, and so far they seem to be on a similar run. Eventually either their lack of depth is gonna catch up to them or they're just gonna cement themselves as a minimalistic, more one-dimensional good team and see if that gets them a further playoff spot. And if that works I'll probably chuck my TV out the window.

Coming Tonight (?)- We talk about the Mets wasting a lot of players, but this guy has a definite case that they ate up too much of his career on silly shit.