MATT KEMP
The Matt Kemp reclamation project resumes Wednesday.
As with Trea Turner, Kemp tweaked his right hamstring and expects to come off the disabled list for Wednesday’s game. Unlike Turner, Kemp was playing well before his injury.
In four games on the road for the Braves, Kemp hit 2 home runs and was 8-for-16 at the plate. When you hit .500, the baseball must look as big as a car coming out of the pitcher’s hand. Coming to Atlanta from the San Diego Padres last year, Kemp has taken to the team and produced.
If the Braves are to make a surprise run for the NL Wild Card, they will need Kemp to help protect Freddie Freeman in the lineup. The pieces to make a run are there, but they need him to bind the glue together.
Jace Peterson has filled in for Kemp in left. With a .211 batting average, the chances of Kemp being Wally Pipp’ed are zero.
As Dansby Swanson struggles in his first full year in the majors, Kemp’s return is crucial to keep the Braves headed in the right direction. Near the bottom of the NL in runs scored, he is missed.
Kemp likes facing the Nats. In 69 career games, he has 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a slash line of .291/.350/.475.