TalkingChop— Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports Markakis sparks Braves in return. Atlanta Braves News Nick Markakis, Mike Soroka lead Braves over Nationals, 5-0 Nick Markakis had two hits in his return from the injured list while Mike Soroka turned in a masterful performance on the mound in a 5-0 win by the Braves over the Nationals. Atlanta increases its division lead to 9.5 games over Washington and reduces its magic number to clinch the division to six. Nick Markakis returns, Johan Camargo lands on IL with shin fracture As expected, Nick Markakis was activated from the injured list prior to Friday’s...

TalkingChop— Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports The phenom hasn’t missed a beat overall in his sophomore campaign, but the ways in which he’s provided value have differed from his rookie production. Ronald Acuña Jr. had himself quite a rookie season last year. He finished with the most fWAR among National League rookies (in a tie with Juan Soto, 0.1 fWAR ahead of Harrison Bader) with 3.7 and took home the commensurate hardware at the season’s conclusion. He wasn’t the most productive member of his team, but still managed to place fourth (behind Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and Mike Foltynewicz)...

Call to the Pen—It may be very early in his career, but Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies is already beginning a Hall of Fame case. Over the course of major league history, there had been nine second basemen to have at least two seasons with 40+ doubles and 20+ homers in the same year. There are three […] Atlanta Braves: Ozzie Albies charting early Hall of Fame path - Call to the Pen - Call to the Pen - A Major League Baseball Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

TalkingChop— Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports The Braves are looking to clinch the series win and reduce their Magic Number to four today. The Braves will be right back at it this afternoon with the Washington Nationals. On the mound for Atlanta will be the resurgent Mike Foltynewicz who is gunning for a postseason spot. His opponent will be the 27-year-old rookie Austin Voth. Voth is sitting on 27 innings pitch this season with Washington and has been fairly mediocre in a starting role. Voth has one plus pitch (his slider), but everything else is average at best and his command is somewhat lacking as...