October 4, 2023
Speed Takes Center Stage in MLB Playoffs
ATLANTA — The image of Ronald Acuña Jr. stealing second base and triumphantly holding the bag over his head has become an iconic moment of the Atlanta Braves’ season.
A Game-Changing Robbery
Acuña’s daring theft not only solidified his membership in the exclusive 40-70 club but also paved the way for the go-ahead run in the Braves’ thrilling 6-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on September 27.
A New Era of Baseball
The sport of baseball has undergone a transformation, with players who possess exceptional speed now having a significant impact on the outcome of games.
Increased Action on the Basepaths
For fans accustomed to primarily following baseball during the postseason, they will witness a different game this year. Thanks to new rules that also promise to influence the playoffs, players are running more than ever before. In the regular season, there were a staggering 3,503 stolen bases, surpassing the previous year’s total by over 1,000. This marks the highest number of stolen bases since the record of 3,585 was set in 1987.
Continued Speed in the Playoffs
The trend of increased stolen bases is expected to carry over into the postseason, with teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks anticipated to unleash their speed on the basepaths. Braves manager Brian Snitker believes this style of play will persist throughout the season, stating, “They’re going to release guys like they’ve been all year. Teams like Arizona will be flying all over the place. I don’t really see that changing with respect to the season.”
Speed as a Playoff Differentiator
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli acknowledged the significance of speed and defense in the postseason. He highlighted the speed potential of backup outfielder Andrew Stevenson as a key factor in securing his spot on the American League squad for the wild-card series against Toronto. Baldelli stated, “I think speed and defense are always something to take into account in the postseason scenario.”
Rule Changes Emphasizing Speed
Major League Baseball implemented several rule changes to accentuate the importance of speed. These changes included the use of larger bases, a stopwatch for pitchers, and a rule limiting the number of pitches to tie up a runner to two per plate appearance. The larger bases reduced the distance between bases, encouraging runners to take more aggressive leads.
Acuña Leads the Way
Ronald Acuña Jr. topped the Major Leagues with an impressive 73 stolen bases while also hitting 41 home runs. The Braves as a team experienced a significant increase in stolen bases, stealing 132 bases compared to 87 in 2022. Despite this improvement, they still ranked 10th in the majors. The Cincinnati Reds led the league with 190 stolen bases, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks (166), Kansas City Royals (163), and Tampa Bay Rays (160). The Diamondbacks and Rays are set to compete in the wild card round, while the Braves, as champions of the NL East, have advanced directly to the Division Series.
A Shift in Baseball Dynamics
This season marks a dramatic change from 2022 when the Texas Rangers led the league with 128 stolen bases, a total that would have only ranked 12th this year. In the opener of the AL wild-card series, the Rangers showcased their speed by stealing two bases in their 4-0 victory over the Rays on Tuesday.