Latest news with #RonaldAcuñaJr.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB power rankings: Streaking Phillies take over NL East lead with baseball's best record
It's only Memorial Day, but the National League East race has already been a roller-coaster. The New York Mets stormed out to a five-game lead by the end of April, but the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies have taken control in recent weeks, entering the holiday with a two-game advantage – and baseball's best record at 34-19. Advertisement Philadelphia just had a nine-game winning streak snapped – with the first seven coming against the MLB-worst Colorado Rockies and lowly Pittsburgh Pirates – and will face a big test this week welcoming the Atlanta Braves to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set. The Braves, who started the season 0-8, battled back to .500 and are primed to take off with the return of Ronald Acuña Jr., back in the Atlanta lineup a year after suffering a season-ending injury. Here's a look at this week's rankings: Kyle Schwarber scores a run against the Athletics. 1. Los Angeles Dodgers (-) Shohei Ohtani touches 97 mph in his first live batting practice. 2. Philadelphia Phillies (+2) Zack Wheeler gave up just two earned runs (0.68 ERA) in four May starts. 3. Detroit Tigers (-1) Dropped three of four vs. Cleveland and have a tough week ahead with series against Giants and Royals. 4. New York Mets (-1) Brett Baty playing himself into an everyday role? Infielder had five homers with 11 RBIs through 40 at-bats in May. 5 Chicago Cubs (+2) Drew Pomeranz, who hadn't pitched in the majors since 2021, yet to give up a run in 13 appearances. 6. New York Yankees (+2) Devin Williams finding his footing in the Bronx with seven consecutive scoreless outings since May 7. Let's talk about Robbie Ray being 7-0 with a 2.56 ERA. Jake Cronenworth (.870 OPS in 83 AB) looking like the hitter he was back in 2020-21. 9. St. Louis Cardinals (+3) Long Island native Steven Matz thriving in a hybrid role (1.99 ERA in 31⅔ innings) and could be a hot free agent commodity this winter – or summer if the Cardinals fall out of contention. 10. Cleveland Guardians (-) Hunter Gaddis (0.86 ERA) tied for the MLB lead with 13 holds. 11. Seattle Mariners (-2) George Kirby got hit hard in his first start of 2025. 12 Minnesota Twins (-1) Cut loose by the Phillies after an 0-for-6 start, Kody Clemens has a 1.130 OPS in 47 at-bats for Minnesota. Kansas City's 3.22 bullpen ERA ranks third in the American League. 14. Houston Astros (+1) Jeremy Peña quietly off to a stellar start with career-bests in average, slugging and OPS. 15. Tampa Bay Rays (+7) Riding a five-game win streak into Memorial Day, the Rays racked up 38 steals in the first 22 games of May. Zac Gallen (5.25 ERA, NL-worst 29 walks) isn't doing himself any favors early in his contract year. 17 Cincinnati Reds (-) Austin Hays just keeps hitting, now with a .951 OPS in 108 at-bats 18 Atlanta Braves (-) Ronald Acuña Jr. back with a bang, homering in his first two games. 19. Milwaukee Brewers (+2) Top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski has a 1.55 ERA in Class AAA and hit 103 mph in a start earlier in May. 20. Texas Rangers (-4) Nathan Eovaldi lhas a 1.60 ERA in 11 starts and is on pace to set a career high for innings pitched. 21. Boston Red Sox (-2) Alex Bregman will be out for a while with quad injury, opening the door for top prospect Marcelo Mayer. 22. Washington Nationals (+2) Jackson Rutledge carving out a relief role with a 2.95 ERA in 16 appearances. George Springer is in a 2-for-29 slump entering Memorial Day. 24. Athletics (+1) Yolo County has been kind to Rookie of the Year favorite Jacob Wilson, batting .375 at Sutter Health Park. 25. Los Angeles Angels (-) Mike Trout could see more time as the designated hitter upon his return. 26 Miami Marlins (+1) Connor Norby turning it on, hitting .370 with 9 RBI in his last 13 games. 27. Pittsburgh Pirates (+1) Jared Jones' elbow surgery will sideline him for the next year. Things continue to get worse, losing six of their first nine after firing manager Brandon Hyde. 29. Chicago White Sox (-) Luis Robert, batting .190 with a .588 OPS, leads the majors with 20 steals. 30. Colorado Rockies (-) They won a game against the Yankees. Advertisement The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Red-hot Phillies top NL East standings
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
What Ronald Acuna's return means for the Atlanta Braves' struggling season
What Ronald Acuna's return means for the Atlanta Braves' struggling season (Image Source: Getty Images) Ronald Acuña Jr.'s return from knee surgery has lifted the spirits of the Atlanta Braves and given hope to a team that is finding its way this year. Because the Atlanta Braves are currently two games below .500 after facing the Padres, the return of their MVP, who hasn't played in nearly a year, comes at an important moment. Because of his immediate impact in both home runs and defence, Ronald Acuña Jr. might help the Atlanta Braves finally reach the World Series. Ronald Acuña Jr.'s immediate impact reshapes Atlanta Braves lineup dynamics Early this season, the Atlanta Braves' offence drew much attention, but Ronald Acuña Jr.'s return has already solved a lot of those problems. With a home run on his first at-bat, travelling 467 feet and leaving the bat at 115.5 mph - the hardest hit ball by any Braves player in the season - Freeman has clearly impressed that he is playing like an MVP again. Through the numbers from his first series against the San Diego Padres, we see why people are talking: two home runs, four hits in twelve at-bats, and the impressive skills that earned him the 2023 Most Valuable Player of the National League. The fact that Brian Snitker put Ronald Acuña Jr. at the top of the lineup shows how much he believes in the player's ability to get the Atlanta Braves off on the right foot. Ozzie Albies pointed out that Ronald Acuña Jr.'s by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo return gives everyone on the team extra motivation. It's clear from the large crowds during the San Diego Padres series that excitement about the Atlanta Braves has returned, and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s comeback is providing the enthusiasm needed to help the team succeed in tough times. Atlanta Braves' championship window remains wide open with healthy Ronald Acuña Jr. The Atlanta Braves built their roster with championship goals, and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s return to health could give them everything they need to succeed. He showed off his defensive strength during his return series, including a throw to home plate clocked at 104.9 mph that revealed his powerful arm. Last year, Ronald Acuña Jr. was cautious after his ACL injury, but this time he feels secure and plays with total confidence in his knee. The series against the Philadelphia Phillies will again test Ronald Acuña Jr.'s health and the team's new teamwork. Thanks to fresh energy from Drake Baldwin and another strong game from Ozzie Albies, the Atlanta Braves look ready to climb in the National League East. Acuña Jr.'s great play, strong starting pitchers, and lively presence at Truist Park put the Braves in position to surge in the second half and get back to where they usually are in October. Also Read: What You Need to Know About MLB's Twitter Sweepstakes Rules The Atlanta Braves' season narrative has shifted dramatically with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s return, transforming what looked like a disappointing campaign into a story of renewed hope and championship possibilities. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Ronald Acuña Jr. homers for 2nd straight game in return to lineup as Braves beat Padres 7-1
ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the second straight game in his return from a nearly year-long absence due to a knee injury, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Acuña homered on the first pitch he saw in his season debut Friday. On Saturday, he hit a 411-foot, two-run shot to left field in the sixth inning, going 1 for 5. The 27-year-old is 3 for 9 in his two games back after missing the previous 161 games due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Atlanta's win halted a seven-game skid against the Padres that included a two-game sweep in last season's National League playoffs. Matt Olson hit his fifth homer in seven games for the Braves, who took advantage of an unexpected bullpen game from the Padres after starter Michael King was scratched less than an hour game time due to shoulder stiffness. Grant Holmes (3-3) gave up one run in seven innings, his fifth quality start in 10 chances this season. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up six hits, a walk and struck out six. Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who won Friday's game with a homer in the ninth inning, went 2 for 2 with an RBI and two walks. Padres starter Sean Reynolds (0-1) worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, including Olson's home run. Reynolds threw a season-high 57 pitches as the Padres lost for the seventh time in eight games. With the Braves leading 3-1 in the sixth inning, Machado and Jackson Merrill reached to open the inning. Holmes struck out Xander Bogaerts and retired Gavin Sheets and Jake Croneworth to get out of the jam. Key stat Braves rookie Drake Baldwin is hitting .488 in May (20 for 41) with three home runs and nine RBIs after going 3 for 4 with a walk. Up next Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (3-3, 3.52) will face Padres RHP Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.50) in the finale of the three-game series Sunday. ___
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Ronald Acuña Jr. homers for 2nd straight game in return to lineup as Braves beat Padres 7-1
ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the second straight game in his return from a nearly year-long absence due to a knee injury, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Acuña homered on the first pitch he saw in his season debut Friday. On Saturday, he hit a 411-foot, two-run shot to left field in the sixth inning, going 1 for 5. The 27-year-old is 3 for 9 in his two games back after missing the previous 161 games due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Atlanta's win halted a seven-game skid against the Padres that included a two-game sweep in last season's National League playoffs. Matt Olson hit his fifth homer in seven games for the Braves, who took advantage of an unexpected bullpen game from the Padres after starter Michael King was scratched less than an hour game time due to shoulder stiffness. Grant Holmes (3-3) gave up one run in seven innings, his fifth quality start in 10 chances this season. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up six hits, a walk and struck out six. Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who won Friday's game with a homer in the ninth inning, went 2 for 2 with an RBI and two walks. Padres starter Sean Reynolds (0-1) worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, including Olson's home run. Reynolds threw a season-high 57 pitches as the Padres lost for the seventh time in eight games. Key moment With the Braves leading 3-1 in the sixth inning, Machado and Jackson Merrill reached to open the inning. Holmes struck out Xander Bogaerts and retired Gavin Sheets and Jake Croneworth to get out of the jam. Key stat Braves rookie Drake Baldwin is hitting .488 in May (20 for 41) with three home runs and nine RBIs after going 3 for 4 with a walk. Up next Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (3-3, 3.52) will face Padres RHP Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.50) in the finale of the three-game series Sunday. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ronald Acuña Jr. homers for 2nd straight game in return to lineup as Braves beat Padres 7-1
ATLANTA (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. homered for the second straight game in his return from a nearly year-long absence due to a knee injury, leading the Atlanta Braves to a 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday. Acuña homered on the first pitch he saw in his season debut Friday. On Saturday, he hit a 411-foot, two-run shot to left field in the sixth inning, going 1 for 5. The 27-year-old is 3 for 9 in his two games back after missing the previous 161 games due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Atlanta's win halted a seven-game skid against the Padres that included a two-game sweep in last season's National League playoffs. Matt Olson hit his fifth homer in seven games for the Braves, who took advantage of an unexpected bullpen game from the Padres after starter Michael King was scratched less than an hour game time due to shoulder stiffness. Grant Holmes (3-3) gave up one run in seven innings, his fifth quality start in 10 chances this season. The 29-year-old right-hander gave up six hits, a walk and struck out six. Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who won Friday's game with a homer in the ninth inning, went 2 for 2 with an RBI and two walks. Padres starter Sean Reynolds (0-1) worked 2 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, including Olson's home run. Reynolds threw a season-high 57 pitches as the Padres lost for the seventh time in eight games. Key moment With the Braves leading 3-1 in the sixth inning, Machado and Jackson Merrill reached to open the inning. Holmes struck out Xander Bogaerts and retired Gavin Sheets and Jake Croneworth to get out of the jam. Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Braves rookie Drake Baldwin is hitting .488 in May (20 for 41) with three home runs and nine RBIs after going 3 for 4 with a walk. Up next Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (3-3, 3.52) will face Padres RHP Dylan Cease (1-3, 4.50) in the finale of the three-game series Sunday. ___ AP MLB:
