Underdog Braves Clinch World Series with Stellar Playoff Performance Despite Losing Acuna Jr.
October 21, 2025
The 2021 Atlanta Braves secured their World Series title despite winning only 88 regular-season games, partly due to missing key player Ronald Acuna Jr. for most of the season after he tore his ACL in mid-July.
Acuna, a central figure and MVP candidate, contributed significantly with a .283/.394/.596 slash line, 24 home runs, and 17 steals in just 82 games, and his absence impacted the team's overall win count.
The Braves' success was driven by effective contributions from players like Jorge Soler, who was acquired during the season and was named World Series MVP with a .269/.358/.524 slash line and three homers in the postseason, and Austin Riley, who broke out with 33 homers.
Freddie Freeman, in his final season with Atlanta, provided consistent offensive production, posting a .304/.420/.625 line with five postseason homers, helping to balance the team's offense.
The pitching staff was led by Max Fried and Charlie Morton, supported by a deep bullpen featuring Will Smith, Luke Jackson, and Tyler Matzek, which was crucial in their playoff run.
Despite having only 88 wins, the Braves defeated higher-win teams like the Brewers, Dodgers, and Astros in the postseason, finishing with an 11-5 record, showcasing their resilience and strategic excellence.
The team's defense was strong, with key contributors like Riley, Ozzie Albies, Adam Duvall, and Dansby Swanson, which helped compensate for their average offensive output.
Summary based on 1 source
Get a daily email with more MLB stories
Source

FOX Sports • Oct 21, 2025
21st Century World Series Champions, Ranked: 2021 Braves Are No. 16