Atlanta Braves Do Something Not Done in More Than 60 Years of Team History
The Atlanta Braves have been the best team in the National League thus far and that was reflected on Thursday when the All-Star Game starters were revealed.
The Braves are a National League best 53-27 and will send three starters from its position player core to Seattle for the midsummer classic: Ronald Acuna Jr., Sean Murphy and Orlando Arcia.
With that number of starters, the Braves have done something they haven't done for 60 years of team history.
Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:
This will be the first time the Braves have 3 or more non-pitcher starters since 1960 (4: Henry Aaron, Joe Adcock, Del Crandall, Eddie Mathews)
Just an incredible accomplishment for a team that has one of the most potent offenses in the sport.
Acuna Jr. is the front runner right now for the National League MVP award. He's hitting .331 this season with 19 homers and 36 stolen bases. He's flirting with a 40 homer and 70 stolen base season.
Murphy was acquired by the Braves this offseason from the Oakland Athletics and has been everything the team could have wanted. He's posting a .289 batting average while hitting 13 homers and driving in 44. He's certainly one of the most feared catchers in the league at the plate.
Arcia battled injury early in the season but has been very productive when healthy. He's hitting .303 with six homers and 26 RBI. He signed a contract extension before the season started and has definitely lived up to it.
The Braves will take on the Miami Marlins on Friday at 7:20 p.m. ET.
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