The Atlanta Braves are proving they belong among baseball's elite after dispatching the Chicago Cubs 4-1 to win the series.
Braves manager Walt Weiss credited the team's depth and adaptability for the success. "It's never easy, but you try to attack the day every day," Weiss said after Wednesday's win. "Then you look up at the end and it should be pretty good."
What makes the Braves particularly dangerous is their flexibility in the lineup, with players fitting into different spots depending on matchups and circumstances. Mauricio Dubon, hitting leadoff for the first time all season, delivered a two-run homer in the eighth inning Wednesday that essentially sealed the series victory. Drake Baldwin, who held the leadoff spot the previous week and a half while Ronald Acuña Jr. recovered, responded with his own solo shot.
Sandy Leon and Jose Azocar, filling the eighth and ninth spots respectively, both reached base on singles. Michael Harris II has hit everywhere from the cleanup spot to ninth in the order, currently sporting a batting average over .300 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs.
"Big hit for Yaz and Dubey keeps on keeping on," Weiss said after Wednesday's game. "Everyone's chipping in."
The Braves aren't relying on one or two dominant performances. Instead, eight or nine different players contribute something meaningful on any given night.
The Cubs series showed the Braves can execute offensively when it counts and adapt their approach without losing effectiveness, whether facing division rivals or national powers.
Chris Sale is scheduled to take the mound for Atlanta in Thursday's series finale at 7:15 p.m.
