The Atlanta Braves are in first place in the National League East. One of the many reasons for that is the play of centerfield Michael Harris II.
A first-time father went back towards the centerfield wall at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., timed it perfectly, and then snatched a potential hit away from the home team. The Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals 9-4 on Monday night for their sixth consecutive victory. Though that catch wasn’t exactly a game-saver, it was another big play from the difference maker.
Michael Harris III was born earlier this month, and his father’s game was reborn this week. He’s batting near the .300 mark, already has six home runs, and is among the RBI leaders on the team with 14.
Harris II, arguably the best defensive centerfielder in Major League Baseball, was the man who made that catch, and whose wife had the baby, Michael Harris III. In an important season for the fifth-year pro and local kid turned Atlanta Braves star, Harris is trying to overcome his tendency to start slowly at the plate.
Take his game last Sunday in Philadelphia. Harris II went 3-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Every one of those hits was hard-hit and came at a time when the Braves needed to either get something going or get a run batted in. Harris was in the ninth spot in the lineup, and Braves manager Walt Weiss has told the media time and again that the bottom third of the lineup has been crucial to the team’s success (first place in the NL East) this season.
Over the past seven games, Harris has found a way to contribute while hitting up and down the Braves’ lineup. On Monday in Washington, Harris batted sixth in the lineup ahead of red-hot Dom Smith, Jorge Mateo, in at shortstop for Mauricio Dubon (14 RBI through 21 games), and Mike Yastrzemski. During the game on Monday, Harris was 1-4 with an RBI. On Tuesday, an 11-4 loss, Harris was 1-4 with a double and another RBI.
Harris batted in the sixth spot on Wednesday and proceeded to have one of his best games of the season. During his first two at-bats, he hit home runs and drove in three runs before the sixth inning.
As of Thursday morning, Harris had hit safely in five of six games on the seven-game road trip. The Braves have one more game in Washington this morning (1:05 p.m. first pitch). The Braves have a pair of consecutive three-game series against the Phillies and Detroit Tigers at Truist Park beginning on Friday night. The new dad’s hot bat and cool glove will be crucial to remaining at the top of the standings.
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