ATLANTA -- As the Braves languished through the first five innings of a 12-4 win over the Rockies on Friday night at Truist Park, there was reason to think about what they might get for Marcell Ozuna and others if they end up being sellers before the Trade Deadline.
But as Ozuna’s go-ahead, three-run homer sailed over the left field wall with two outs in the seventh, there was reason to wonder if this team can truly turn things around and renew the World Series hopes that were bruised during the season’s first couple months.
“It’s possible to chase guys down after the All-Star break, but for our psyche and everything, these are all big games for us,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Ozuna’s game-winner was his second home run in a span of 75 at-bats going back to the fifth inning of a May 20 loss at Nationals Park. He made it clear his hip has felt good for the past couple weeks. So, this home run gave him the confidence he might be getting back into a groove.
“I was getting a little frustrated because I want to help the team and do some damage,” Ozuna said. “God gave me the damage when I most needed it: tie game, two outs.”
The Braves are four days removed from their second seven-game losing streak of the year and a 17-game stretch that included just three wins. But they have won three of their past four games and they will play two more games this weekend against a Rockies team on pace for 131 losses.
Suddenly, there’s a sense of optimism that didn’t exist last weekend or as recently as Friday night, when the Braves trailed, 4-1, with two outs in the sixth inning. It looked like the narrative might be that Snitker’s club was destined to sell Ozuna, Raisel Iglesias, Pierce Johnson and possibly Ozzie Albies, who is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. Some have even questioned whether the team should sell Chris Sale, who has an $18 million option for 2026.
If the Braves don’t turn things around over the next six weeks, they won’t have any choice but to sell at least some of these players. But thoughts of selling were halted when Michael Harris II erased the three-run deficit with his game-tying homer off Jake Bird with two outs in the sixth.
“I tell Harris all the time, 'You’re the best center fielder in the league,'” Ozuna said. “'You don’t have to worry about anything.'”
Harris has shown incredible potential going back to 2022, when he was named National League Rookie of the Year. But even with his great defense, it’s pretty hard to define him as the game’s best center fielder when he has hit .238 with a .624 OPS through 68 games.
The 24-year-old outfielder’s offensive inconsistencies have contributed to the Braves’ woes. But he has come through in some big situations. He entered Friday with a .770 OPS in high leverage situations.
“I feel like I’ve been able to get some key RBIs throughout the season, regardless of how I’ve been feeling in previous at-bats,” Harris said.
If Harris can get on a roll, the Braves could soon find themselves with one of the game’s most productive outfields. Jurickson Profar could return from his 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension on July 2. And, after reaching safely four times on Friday, Ronald Acuña Jr. has a 1.125 OPS through the first 19 games he’s played since returning from knee surgery.
Unfortunately for the Braves, Acuña returned just as Ozuna’s offensive production began to decline. The designated hitter has battled right hip discomfort most of the season. So, it seemed like he was still limited when he entered Friday having tallied just three extra-base hits over a 20-game span going back to May 20.
But after hitting Friday’s game-winning homer, Ozuna made it clear his recent struggles have been a product of mechanical flaws, not physical issues.
“I had to get my feeling back there and then swing like I swing,” Ozuna said. “I think I’m going to be fine before the All-Star Game.”
The Braves won the 2021 World Series after entering the All-Star break one game under .500 (44-45). They won 101 games in 2022, despite entering June four games under .500. They currently sit eight games under .500. So, this start is slower than these previous two. But it’s not like this team is in completely unfamiliar territory.
“We had a team that nobody expected we were going to make it, and we’re going to do it [again] for sure,” Ozuna said.