ATLANTA -- If Freddie Freeman started his surge earlier, he might have been a viable National League Most Valuable Player candidate.
The hot-hitting Atlanta Braves first baseman leads the team into the final six games of the season, beginning Tuesday with the start of a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field.
Freeman was named the NL's Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday. It was the third time he received the honor since June. He batted .500 (11-for-22) with three doubles, two home runs and five runs in helping the Braves go 5-1.