Brewers NLDS Preview: 5 Braves Players To Worry About In The Series

It was announced Monday that the Brewers will be hosting the Atlanta Braves on Friday at 3:37 CST and Saturday at 4:07 CST in Games 1 and 2 of the NLDS. The Braves finished in first place in the NL East with an overall record of 88-73, 6.5 games above the second place Philadelphia Phillies.

It will be a battle of strengths as the Brewers elite pitching staff will match up against a lineup full of very capable hitters. The Braves rank very well in numerous offensive team categories, even with the devastating loss of their superstar Ronald Acuna Jr, to a knee injury back in early July.

With a couple days until the series begins, we here at Reviewing the Brew will have all the Brewers coverage needed to get you ready for the NLDS. Here’s a preview of key players to be aware of on the Braves roster.

1. 1B Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman is the best pure hitter in the Braves lineup. The reigning NL MVP can launch a 430 foot home run to right center field or shorten up his swing and spray a single to the opposite field. He’s been to four consecutive All-Star games and has two Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove award back in 2018. Freddie Freeman is undoubtedly one of the best first basemen in baseball.

This season, Freeman has been very productive once again. Of all eligible first basemen in the NL, Freeman owns the highest batting average, hitting at a .300 clip. He popped 31 home runs, drove in 83 runs and posted an .896 OPS all while once again being one of the best at his position defensively with a .998 fielding percentage and only three errors in 1,356 chances.

Freddie Freeman is a very good low ball hitter so the Milwaukee pitchers will have to be cognizant of his batted ball profile. Another thing to consider is his significant increase of success when he faces right handed pitchers compared to southpaws.

Against left handed pitchers, his average sinks to .257, where he hits .317 against righties. This is a hitter that has time and time again come up clutch when his team needs him, including a walk-off hit to beat the Reds in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series last season. The Brewers need to be careful with Freddie Freeman in this series.