MVFree: Freeman enters late, hits walk-off homer

Freddie Freeman wasn’t even in Friday’s lineup. It was supposed to be a rest day. Instead, it might’ve been his final statement before MVP ballots are due.

Freeman hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning to push the Braves past the Red Sox, 8-7, in a wild series opener at Truist Park. Freeman was subbed into the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth and stayed at first base.

The Braves and Red Sox had combined for three runs over the first seven innings. They scored 12 over the final four, capped by Freeman’s 1-0 swing against Jeffrey Springs that might’ve topped off an MVP season.

“I was just trying to send everyone home,” Freeman said, laughing. “We had a long one last night and we were on our way to a long one again tonight. … When I took the slider away, I thought they’d try to sneak a fastball by and I was ready for it. I was able to get it out.”

The home run went to left-center. It was Freeman’s fifth career walk-off blast and his 11th career game-ending RBI.

Freeman has slashed .341/.461/.644 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs, appearing in all 58 games. He entered the game leading the NL in doubles, extra-base hits and runs scored. He was second in batting average, RBIs (behind teammate Marcell Ozuna), on-base percentage, slugging percentage and walks.

It seemed Freeman was the MVP frontrunner entering the night. Perhaps his latest highlight will sway a few voters still on the fence.

“He absolutely should (be the MVP),” manager Brian Snitker said. “The guy is having an unbelievable year. You talk about MVPs, and what a guy means to your team – and we’re a first-place team – and he checks all the boxes.”

The Braves clinched the No. 2 seed with the victory. They’ll host the No. 7 seed in a best-of-three wild-card round at Truist Park next week.

“It’s all going to depend on the postseason for me,” Freeman said of his season. “But you know, how it started, I didn’t even know if I was going to be ready for opening day (due to having the coronavirus). It’s been a crazy season. We’ve only played 58 games and it feels like 158. Getting five days of practice and then facing (Jacob) deGrom (on opening day) wasn’t an ideal situation, but I wouldn’t change it for a second. It’s been a crazy season, one I’ll never forget, but it’s been a good one. Hopefully it’s one I can look back on. I’m pretty proud of it right now.”

Notes from Friday:

- Kyle Wright was stellar for the second consecutive start. The 24-year-old allowed one run – a Jackie Bradley Jr. homer in the fifth – over his first six innings and two runs over his full 6-2/3 frames. He attacked the strike zone with a consistency that eluded him earlier in the season.

Wright ran out of gas during his 20-pitch seventh. He retired J.D. Martinez to begin the inning but walked the next three hitters, a stretch in which he threw only two strikes in 15 pitches. Wright stayed in to face Rafael Devers, who grounded out to first baseman Austin Riley. Darren O’Day got the final out of the inning.

Wright’s next start might be a winner-take-all Game 3 next week at Truist Park. If it comes to that, the Braves would happily take a similar showing to Friday.

- Ronald Acuna hit a monstrous 495-foot lead-off homer off starter Chris Mazza. It was the longest homer in the majors this season, longest of Acuna’s career and longest in Truist Park history. It was his 19th career lead-off homer.

Acuna has six-game hitting streak. He also stole his 8th base of the season.

- The 22-year-old Acuna has met or exceeded every high expectation since debuting in April 2018. How about this nugget from baseball analyst and statistician Ryan Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder): Over his last 162 games, Acuna has hit .275/.378/.546 with 47 homers, 29 doubles, 107 RBIs and 149 runs scored. He’s added 43 stolen bases.

- Left-hander Tucker Davidson will start for the Braves Saturday. It will be his major-league debut.