The Atlanta Braves are undoubtedly on fire this season, boasting an impressive record of 90-46, securing the top spot in the NL East, the National League, and even Major League Baseball.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals find themselves in a different league altogether. Instead of dwelling on that contrast, let’s infuse a little fun into this preview by drawing inspiration from the music of Atlanta’s own Ludacris to help us encapsulate the essence of the Atlanta Braves.

“Number One Spot”

Starting with the obvious choice, the Braves currently occupy the number one spot in the league. Ludacris might have penned this track for an Austin Powers movie, but many remember it as David Eckstein’s walk-up music during his Cardinals days when he was the ideal leadoff batter. It was the perfect match.

“Southern Hospitality”

When the Cardinals venture to Atlanta to take on the Braves, they face a team that maintains a remarkable .667 winning percentage at home. However, it’s worth noting that the Braves don’t show much of a split in their performance, boasting a .657 winning percentage on the road as well. Simply put, they just know how to win, regardless of the location.

“Get Back”

The Braves currently lead all of baseball in home runs, having hit an astonishing 259 as a team. To put it into perspective, that’s a whopping 46 more than the next closest team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not only that, but they also top the league in team ISO with .225 and lead in wRC+ at an impressive 125.

“Growing Pains”

Despite being just 25 years old, Ronald Acuña Jr. is already in his sixth MLB season. His 2021 season ended prematurely due to an ACL tear while fielding a foul ball, and he experienced a somewhat lackluster year in 2022 upon his return. However, he’s making up for lost time this season. Acuña is the star hitter on the Braves’ stacked offense, boasting a remarkable 167 wRC+. He’s tied for second in baseball among hitters in terms of fWAR, with an impressive 6.8.

“How Low”

As a team, the Braves are ranked third in baseball in ERA with 3.78 and third in FIP at 3.91. Leading the charge is Spencer Strider, who boasts a 2.81 FIP and a 3.56 ERA. He leads the league in strikeout rate at 38% and holds opponents to a mere .203 batting average. The Cardinals are set to face him on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, they’ll square off against Max Fried, who leads the Braves with a 2.52 ERA over just over 60 innings pitched. Fried strikes out nearly 26% of batters and maintains a 5.3% walk rate.

In conclusion, the Atlanta Braves are an exceptional team, and the St. Louis Cardinals are undoubtedly in for a challenging series.