Atlanta Braves Hope Ozzie Albies Adds Spark To Lethargic Lineup

The Atlanta Braves brought a nice surprise to the fans gathering at Truist Park for the opener of their critical weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ozzie Albies, a little second baseman with a big bat, is back after missing 95 days with a foot fractured while batting on a wet field June 13.

The 5-8, 165-pound switch-hitter had been hitting well during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett, where he had a 5-for-5 night that included a game-winning home run. In another game, he legged out a two-run triple, indicating his foot had healed.

With almost the entire Atlanta lineup ensnared in a collective slump, Albies is expected to provide power, speed, and defense – all issues that sabotaged the club’s just-concluded West Coast road trip.

Needing every win to keep pace with the New York Mets in a sizzling National League East title chase, the Braves went only 4-4 against Seattle, San Francisco, and Oakland.

That left them one game behind the Mets as play started Friday. Both teams have 19 games left, including three against each other in Atlanta.

Albies, 25, is coming off his best season. He had career peaks in 2021 with 30 home runs, 106 runs batted in, and 20 stolen bases a year ago.

Known for his enthusiasm plus an ability to speak four languages, the Curacao native is the best friend of Ronald Acuña Jr., a Venezuelan outfielder who has struggled this season after returning from a torn ACL in late April.

Acuña, 24, has experienced major dips in power and average this year while batting at the top of the lineup.

With Albies back, Braves manager Brian Snitker has an infield overload, since 21-year-old rookie Vaughn Grissom, up from Double-A, has been sensational at second after shifting from shortstop, where he played in the minors.

Grissom could play left field, where Eddie Rosario and Marcell Ozuna have formed an erratic left-right platoon, and has been shagging flies during batting practice.

It’s also possible Albies or Grissom could be used as a designated hitter, though back-up catcher William Contreras has done so well in that role that he made the National League All-Star team. Acuña has also played there to give his painful knee a rest.

Snitker could decide to rest slumping first baseman Matt Olson, a left-handed hitter, by moving third baseman Austin Riley across the diamond and trying Grissom at third. The Phils plan to start left-handed pitcher Ranger Suarez Friday night.

Olson, Riley, and shortstop Dansby Swanson have played virtually every day this season but all are showing signs of wear – not uncommon in mid-September even for top players.

Since the Braves are seeking their fifth straight NL East crown and hope to retain the world championship they won last year, over-anxious athletes could be feeling more pressure as the calendar counts down to the postseason.

Atlanta plays Philadelphia seven times starting tonight as the Phils hope to land a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

The arrival of Albies and his cheerful disposition should help keep the Braves loose in the dugout and the clubhouse. But his bat should help too: three years ago, he led the National League with 189 hits.

If contract options are exercised, Albies will be in Atlanta through 2027. He signed a seven-year, $35 million contract on April 11, 2019. The pact contains two club options worth $7 million each with a $4 million buyout.