Bad breakup

In baseball, for many, there are trends that seem as difficult to reverse as they are inexplicable. We often hear players tell their stories about how they deal with different processes within a season. Sometimes it's not just about the talent to solve complicated situations and make adjustments when needed.

This Saturday, Cuban Jorge Soler hit his 21st home run of this season. The home run tied the score 1-1 during the top of the second inning against the Marlins. After the injury of superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., the Braves again relied on Soler's experience for the second half of the season. In 2021, Soler faced a similar challenge and was one of the key players in helping the Braves reach the postseason. He then brought so much offensive heat that he ended up winning the World Series MVP award against the Houston Astros.

I have a feeling his three-run homer off a tame cutter from right-hander Luis Garcia Jr. hasn't landed in Minute Maid Park yet. I mean, Soler literally crunched the ball and broke the hearts of Astros fans in that decisive third inning of Game 6. Garcia Jr. tried to throw a pitch that would put out the fire. He threw his cutter to attempt the magic act, and Soler unmasked the cutter with the brutal power of his wrists.

But before the Braves touched baseball glory after 26 years, the risk of betting on Soler should be taken for granted. It was, indeed, an all-or-nothing bet relying on Soler's performance trends. I remember writing a couple of columns about the Braves trade, which, to many, seemed crazy at the time. The reason?