CHICAGO – When Braves manager Walt Weiss kept a struggling Ozzie Albies out of the lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Rays, the veteran second baseman provided a pinch-hit triple during a decisive three-run eighth.
When Weiss moved Albies down to the lineup’s eighth spot Tuesday at Wrigley Field, the four-time All-Star responded with a go-ahead two-run homer that helped the Braves claim a 6-3 win over the Cubs and move another step closer to winning the NL East.
“The eight spot has gotten some guys hot this year,” Weiss said with a smile. “That was great to see. And he got the hit later. The home runs, when we’re thriving, we’re hitting them.”
Albies, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin each hit a two-run homer as the Braves moved 5 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Phillies in the National League East race.
“I'm sure you guys will let me know when we get to clinching something,” Weiss said. “You just need to play well and win games.”
Maybe the Braves should just aim to hit at least three home runs every game. They are now 20-1 when they hit three-plus homers in a game this year. The only MLB team with a higher winning percentage in such games is the Guardians, who are 11-0.
A benefactor of this latest power display was Martín Pérez, who strengthened his postseason rotation resume by allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings. The 35-year-old southpaw’s effort netted him his 100th career win.
“It’s special to do it with this team, with my teammates and the coaches,” Pérez said. “I'm really glad to be part of this team.”
Having made his MLB debut in 2017, Albies is the longest-tenured player on Atlanta’s roster. The veteran infielder helped the team win the first of six straight NL East titles in 2018 and he played a key role in bringing the 2021 World Series trophy to Atlanta.
This past month has been a rough one for Albies. He entered Tuesday having hit just .155 (11-for-71) with a .500 OPS over his previous 19 games. But none of that mattered when he drilled right-handed reliever Jacob Webb’s 2-1 changeup over the ivy in right-center field to give the Braves a 4-3 lead in the seventh.
“Hopefully, this is the night that helps me keep it going all of the way,” Albies said. “That one definitely felt great.”
Weiss also seemed to push the right button when he sat a struggling Acuña during an Aug. 27 series finale against the Dodgers. The 2023 NL MVP has since looked more like himself.
Cubs starter Kevin Gausman kept the Braves scoreless until Acuña lined a two-run homer just over the left-center-field wall in the sixth. This was the outfielder’s 18th homer of the season and his fifth over his past 13 games.
Acuña has hit .366 with a 1.066 OPS over his past 18 games. Three of the five homers he’s hit within this span came against the Phillies. This latest one just helped further diminish Philadelphia’s division hopes.
“When he is healthy and he gets on one of these streaks, he’s the best player in baseball,” Albies said. “There's nothing else to say about that.”
Albies and Acuña have been friends and teammates going back to 2015, when they met in the Braves’ instructional league. They are the team’s only current members who contributed to each of the six division crowns the Braves have won within the eight seasons prior to 2026.
So it seemed like old times when they teamed yet again to push Atlanta toward another NL East title.
“About an inning after I hit it, I realized we both did it again in the same game,” Albies said. “Yeah, it was just like old days back in the day.”