Braves Briefing: Sean Murphy is absolutely RAKING right now
The Atlanta Braves have won the series against the Kansas City Royals with two straight massive performances on offense - Atlanta's lineup has tallied twenty-five hits and nineteen runs through the first two games of the series.
If Atlanta can seal the deal in today's series finale, it'll be their third series sweep of the young season, after their victories over St. Louis on the road and Cincinnati at home.
Sean Murphy has settled into his slot in the lineup
Atlanta's prized offseason acquisition started slow this season, not collecting his first hit until his third start, in Atlanta's fifth game of the season, and batting only .150/.393/.200 through April 9th.
But in the last week, Murphy's been on an absolute tear, going 9-19 with 3 homeruns, 11 RBIs, and 6 runs scored. Even more notable, every one of those hits has been for extra bases. He's playing every day during the absence of Travis d'Arnaud, on the 7-day concussion IL, and while playing every day isn't sustainable long-term, he's on a heater that Atlanta absolutely needed with multiple regulars on the injured list.
Michael Harris II does not yet have a return date
Atlanta's star centerfielder, on the injured list since April 7th with a lower back strain, does not yet have an estimated activation date. He's eligible to return starting Monday, but he hasn't yet been cleared to take batting practice. He estimated pregame that he was "a couple days" away from being able to ramp up baseball activities, and it's estimated that the Astros series beginning on Friday April 21st is the first time you might see Harris back in the lineup.
NL East Standings
Low scoring day in the division yesterday, as the other four teams scored a combined ten runs between them. Low point was the Philadelphia Phillies being shut and blown out by the Reds, losing 13-0 on the road in Great American Ball Park.
| Team | Record | GB | Action today |
|---|---|---|---|
Braves | 11-4 | - | @ Royals |
Mets | 9-6 | 2.0 | @ Athletics |
Marlins | 8-7 | 3.0 | Host Diamondbacks |
Phillies | 5-10 | 6.0 | @ Reds |
Nationals | 4-11 | 7.0 | Hosts Guardians |
We Wrote It
Braves Today writer Dan Strickland, in his takeaways from last night, noted how the offensive futility of Marcell Ozuna is being noticed by the fans, even on the road.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Marcell Ozuna. He went hitless in four at-bats tonight, dropping his average to .075 on the season. He did reach base on a walk in his fifth trip to the plate in the ninth inning. There were audible boos from the Braves fans in attendance in Kansas City after each out he made tonight. Ozuna is currently 2-for-31 in his last ten games, with 1 RBI and 12Ks over that span.
What's next?
Atlanta goes for the series sweep on Sunday - first pitch is at 2:10 ET. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports South, and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.
More stories from the Royals series
WATCH: Sean Murphy goes deep against the Royals
Takeaways: Braves take game one in the Royals series
WATCH: Sam Hilliard can do EVERYTHING
WATCH: Brian Snitker tossed in the top of the second inning
WATCH: Matt Olson and Austin Riley hit back to back homeruns to open the game
Atlanta Braves officially call up Vaughn Grissom
Podcast: The Atlanta Braves have to move on from Marcell Ozuna
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