Acuña Jr. Shines in Clash of NL Super Powers
09/01/2023
By: Jeff Yoder
Braves & Dodgers Go Toe-to-Toe, But Ronald Acuña Jr. Gets Last Laugh With Grand Slam & MLB’s 1st-Ever 30-HR, 60-SB Season
The matchup we’ve all been waiting for! The most intriguing series of the weekend has been a long time coming. The Braves and Dodgers hadn’t met since late May — prior to the All-Star break, the trade deadline, and back when the Rays were still far-and-away MLB’s top team. Thursday night’s Game 1 of a four-game stint between the top-two National League powers lived up to the billing. Atlanta compiled a 6-1 lead by the end of the 2nd inning thanks to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s 30th home run of the season — a grand slam. That lead was nearly erased after not one, but two Mookie Betts homers. The two leaders in the NL MVP race certainly stamped their names on this game. In the end, Atlanta held off the Dodgers’ rally (8-7), and Acuña Jr.’s slam made him the first player in MLB history with a 30-HR, 60-steal season. Three more games of Braves-Dodgers? Yes, please.
NL Super Powers Comparison
Braves (88-45) | 1st Place
MVP Candidate: Ronald Acuña Jr.
(.337 BA, 30 HRs, 62 SBs, .993 OPS)
Dodgers (83-50) | 2nd Place
MVP Candidate: Mookie Betts
(.317 BA, 38 HRs, 10 SBs, 1.033 OPS)
Watch: Braves Fend Off Dodgers (8-7) in Historic Night Between NL Super Powers
MLB Quick-Hitters
Giants Put Padres to Bed: If it wasn’t over for the Padres’ postseason hopes, it is now. The Giants rung up six runs on the Friars in the third inning before cruising to a 7-2 win and handing San Diego their fifth loss in six games.
Marlins Keep Swimming: Miami ended August on a positive note with a 6-1 win over the Nationals last night. They were just 2-8 in their last 10 and quickly fading out of the NL Wild Card picture. A hot September for the Fish (67-67) could shift their fate.
More Yankees Misery: The Yankees rallied from a 3-0 deficit with a 3-run 9th to force the Tigers into extra innings last night, so there’s that. Moments later, Detroit won it with a walk-off thanks to a Yankees’ error (4-3, 10 innings).
RHP Lucas Giolito (Guardians)
OF Harrison Bader (Reds)
OF Hunter Renfroe (Reds)
3B Josh Donaldson (Brewers)