WASHINGTON — “The first-place Braves” sounds familiar after the team spent the past three seasons atop the National League East. It hasn’t been said as much in 2021, but it became reality Sunday.
The Braves swept the Nationals in Washington with a 6-5 victory, pushing them to the top of the standings.
Here are five takeaways from Sunday:
1. Just like that, they’re back in first. The Braves’ win, paired with the Phillies’ loss to Reds, rewarded the Braves sole possession of first place. After months of frustration, the Braves are positioned for a postseason spot with 44 games remaining.
This week’s schedule features the last-place Marlins and Orioles. The Braves have an opportunity before them. They started the best way they could in sweeping the watered-down Nationals. In two months, the Braves have flipped a 7-1/2 game deficit into a one-game lead.
2. Shortstop Dansby Swanson probably wishes it was a four-game series. He eviscerated the Nationals, homering four times with nine RBIs in three games.
Swanson was hitting .343/.388/.650 with 23 extra-base hits over his past 35 games entering the day. In his age 27 season, he’s showing all the well-rounded ability that made him a No. 1 overall pick.
Swanson is on pace to become the first Braves middle infielder to post a 30-homer season since Dan Uggla (36) in 2011. Swanson is racing his teammate, second baseman Ozzie Albies, for that honor. Albies has 22 homers.
3. First baseman Freddie Freeman and third baseman Austin Riley smacked consecutive homers to open the fifth and snap a 3-3 tie. Freeman’s solo shot was his second home run in 21 games.
The Braves have won 10 of 12, scoring six runs per game in that span while posting two homers a game. They haven’t lost a series since July 30-Aug. 1, when they dropped two of three to Milwaukee.
“This lineup is deep now and we’re getting contributions from a lot of guys, which is a really good thing,” manager Brian Snitker said. “Hopefully we can go on for another two and a half months.”
4. The Braves’ infield is in the discussion for best in the majors, alongside the Dodgers’ and Padres’ units. Freeman, Swanson, Ozzie Albies and Riley give a Braves a dangerous group offensively and defensively. They showed how dynamic they are throughout the Nationals series.
“This infield is crazy talented,” starter Drew Smyly said. “Riley is an absolute stud. Dansby is really hot right now and plays incredible defense. He’s a tremendous player. (Second baseman Ozzie) Albies obviously crushes day in and day out, both sides of the plate. Then you have the MVP Freddie Freeman. So yeah, I’d say (the infield) is up there with the best of anybody.”
Credit: Nick Wass
Credit: Nick Wass
5. Riley made a nice snag and throw to first to end the game and secure closer Will Smith’s 25th save. While some defensive metrics grade Riley lowly, Snitker made it clear he only cares about the eye test, which tells him Riley is a solid defender.
“There’s no doubt he’s good in my mind,” Snitker said. “I don’t pay attention to defensive metrics. I judge defense by my eyes, not by numbers. I don’t buy that. I buy what I see on the field and this kid, I don’t ever feel bad, like I’m cringing when a ball’s hit to him. I don’t buy all that metric stuff in defense.”
Stat to know
8-1 (The Braves won their final eight games at Nationals Park, going 8-1 in Washington this season. It’s a franchise record for most wins in the nation’s capital in one campaign.)
Quotable
“I don’t say anything to him. I don’t want to screw him up.” – Snitker on Swanson’s hot streak
Up next
The Braves begin a three-game series Monday in Miami. Right-hander Touki Toussaint (1-2, 4.28) will start against Marlins lefty Braxton Garrett (1-1, 4.65).
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