The Braves’ magic number is down to six before they can start packing their bags for Texas and the postseason bubble. While the expanded format and subtraction of travel days through the first three rounds could lead to some hair situations for the National League East leaders and its rotation, no offense is doing more damage in September than Atlanta’s at an MLB-best 4.6 fWAR and 111 runs scored.
It’s the catalyst of that offense that’s the focus as we open this week’s Starting Nine, because like seemingly everything else in this weird pandemic-affected season, it all starts with the Braves’ four-time All-Star first baseman.