The Braves’ postseason fate largely depends on their two stars’ health.
First baseman Freddie Freeman has dealt with bone spurs in his right elbow since mid-September. Outfielder Ronald Acuna was sidelined the final four games because of a left groin strain.
But both are full go for Thursday, when the Braves host the Cardinals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. The players participated in a simulated game, among other workouts, Tuesday and came through without any complications.
“I felt really good,” Freeman said Wednesday. “I didn’t feel my elbow at all, which is very encouraging. I’m really looking forward to (Thursday). I feel 100 percent.”
“I feel good,” Acuna said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “I want to come out with the same energy and enthusiasm I’ve had before.”
Freeman, like many players, has persisted through bone spurs in the past, but the pain sharpened during a game in Washington earlier in September. He left the game earlier but resurfaced in the lineup the following day.
The elbow pain flared again at the end of the team’s final homestand, when Freeman exited in the eighth inning. The Braves left him in Atlanta during their two-game series in Kansas City which, paired with two off days, gave Freeman four days of rest and treatment before he rejoined the team in New York.
Freeman played in all three games against the Mets, exhibiting signs his elbow was still bothering him. Freeman insisted that while it wasn’t ideal, he could play through it. He admitted Wednesday he didn’t anticipate the pain during the final series.
“I was a little surprised (the pain resurfaced),” he said. “Especially when a week or so before, I had a day off and felt pretty good. I’m very encouraged about how I felt (Tuesday). I even came on the Monday off day and got treatment here as well.
“I’m very encouraged that going into (Thursday) that I’m going to have no problems arising at all when I swing. I faced live (pitching) yesterday – that’s usually when it was coming, when I faced velocity – and I felt nothing. So I’m really looking forward to (Thursday) because I think I’m going to be 100 percent.”
Freeman slowed down at the end of the season, hitting .125 in his past 11 games since first exiting because of the spur. But he assembled arguably the best season of his career, hitting .295 with a .938 OPS. His 38 homers, 121 RBIs and 113 runs scored were all career bests.
Acuna’s injury was a much lesser concern, with the 21-year-old All-Star missing the final four games to gain extra rest before the postseason. It did prematurely end his pursuit of the fifth 40-40 season in MLB history – Acuna hit 41 homers and stole 37 bases.
“We had a full workout yesterday,” manager Brian Snitker said. “(Acuna) ran the bases. We took batting practice, played an extended sim game actually, and there were no ill-effects at all with his hip. He did all the running and more. And I think once tomorrow gets here he's going to be 100 percent.”
The Braves can only hope both their players are at full strength. It might well be the difference in them winning their first postseason series in 18 years.
