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Phillies' Zack Wheeler takes major shot at Ronald Acuna Jr. for emphatic home-run celebration
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- Phillies' Zack Wheeler takes major shot at Ronald Acuna Jr. for emphatic home-run celebration
Phillies' Zack Wheeler takes major shot at Ronald Acuna Jr. for emphatic home-run celebration originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are in the middle of a very important series with a lot on the line in the NL East. The Braves have been in control for pretty much the entire season, but the Phillies have remained in the race.
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Atlanta and Philadelphia are both trying to avoid playing in the first round of the MLB playoffs, making this weekend's series especially important. With the standings so tight, these games could have a major impact on the NL East race.
"By Monday afternoon, the 2026 National League East race could be flipped on its head -- or over completely," MLB.com's Theo DeRosa wrote.
The good news for the Braves is that their best player, Ronald Acuna Jr., is starting to find his groove. It has been an unfortunate season for Acuna, as he has dealt with injuries once again. However, his bat is starting to heat up at the right time.
"Ronald Acuña Jr. is heating up in September, and it's exactly what the Atlanta Braves have been waiting for. Acuña has missed 53 games this season due to injury, and outside of a solid May in which he hit .286 with five home runs, his offensive season has been underwhelming. That's what makes the calendar flipping to September such a welcome sight. Through the first four games of the month, Acuña is 8-for-18 with two homers, five RBIs and four runs scored," SI's Roman Janeiro wrote.
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On Saturday, Acuna hit a home run to trim the Phillies' lead to two runs. He trotted around the bases, as he does after nearly every no-doubter. Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was asked about the celebration after the game and took a jab at Acuna.
"It's up to him to do what he wants. Our guy just rounds the bases that hits 50 here," Wheeler said.
It is safe to say that Wheeler was not a fan of the celebration. However, Acuna has always played the game with plenty of emotion and joy, and when he gets ahold of a pitch he likes, he is going to celebrate it.
That is what the game has become. Celebrations happen every day, and players are allowed to play with their emotions. It is part of what makes the game entertaining, even if some opposing players may not appreciate it. At the end of the day, this is simply another chapter in the classic Phillies-Braves rivalry.
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