Albies’ Recent Surge Offers Hope for Braves Offense
Is Ozzie Albies Finally On the Right Track?
Ozzie Albies has been one of the most criticized players on the Braves this season, and those criticisms have been legit. At the plate, Albies hasn’t been himself. Whether it’s taking good pitches or swinging at horrible ones, it’s been a long road already for the veteran. This season, Albies is batting .239/.299/.351, and those numbers have only started to tick up over the last week or so. As the Braves search for consistency, they will need Albies to be what he has been the last 11 games and more.
Today, Albies had another good day in a Braves loss, going 2-for-2 with an RBI, a walk, and a run scored, collecting two doubles along the way. After the game, he was asked about his recent turnaround.
“Things started to turn around and I kept working hard on the swing, and it definitely feels better.”
You can definitely tell that it feels better. This series, Ozzie Albies was one of the better hitters in the Braves lineup and most consistent. For the series, he went 5-for-10 with two RBIs, a walk, a run scored, and only one strikeout. That’s the kind of production Atlanta needs from its second baseman.
Better Baseball & Consistency Ahead?
It’s easy to want to get aggravated and blast the team when there are constant struggles, but they are working and have way higher stakes in what is going on than fans do. Better baseball is coming, according to Albies.
The Braves have been battling through a stretch where their offense has been inconsistent, and it’s felt like the team has been waiting for someone to step up. Albies showing signs of breaking out is the kind of boost that could trickle down the lineup. Baseball is a grind, and even the best teams go through lulls. What separates contenders is the ability to weather those stretches and find a way to get back on track. If Ozzie Albies can get hot and stay hot, he will be one of several pieces that are needed for them to get the ship turned in the right direction.
“Way better baseball to be played, we haven’t hit our full peak yet like we can be, so definitely we can play better baseball.” He went on to say later, “We gotta keep playing hard.”
Brian Snitker has noticed the turn for Albies as well. For everyone who wonders what Snitker does during the games, well, he thinks some. When asked about the day and series Ozzie Albies had, Snitker had this to say.
“Yeah, I was just thinking of that during the game, it’s like, you know what? Hopefully Oz is getting ready to get a little something going.”
“Yeah, he’s, you know, and I felt like that coming in off the road trip even. You know what? He’s starting to, you know, maybe get on a run here.”
Maybe he is starting to get on a run, just like Snitker said. Over his last seven games, Ozzie Albies is batting .370/.433/.519 and has an 11-game hitting streak that dates back to game two of the Nationals series at home on May 13.
The Braves head on the road to Philadelphia before returning home for Boston this weekend. This is a good opportunity for Albies and others to continue the climb and to get some much needed wins before the beginning of June. Keep an eye on Ozzie Albies as the week goes, to see if he will continue grinding out hits.
While it’s Memorial Day weekend and the Braves have had plenty to be frustrated about, the time is there, and with players like Ozzie Albies seemingly turning things around, that’s a good sign.
