6 NL East hitters who will torment Phillies pitchers in 2022

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 06: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals talks with Bryce Harper #34 during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on September 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 06: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals talks with Bryce Harper #34 during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on September 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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Phillies
Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

2. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves

The NL East wasn’t the same without Ronald Acuña Jr., who tore his ACL right before the All-Star break.

However, his absence made life easier for the Phillies; he’s hit .317/.410/.561 with a .971 OPS in 51 career games against them. His 60 hits include 13 doubles and 11 home runs, 39 runs scored, and 33 RBI. He’s also 9-for-12 in stolen base attempts.

Against their current pitching staff, he has a lifetime .295/.441/.727 batting line and 1.168 OPS in 95 at-bats.

Acuña hits Aaron Nola especially hard; in 29 at-bats against him, he’s hit a preposterous .379/.500/.793 with a 1.293 OPS, three doubles, and three home runs. Nola has walked him seven times, and struck him out nine times.

Zack Wheeler has fared slightly better; Acuña is *only* hitting .286/.310/.714 against him with a 1.025 OPS, but again, three doubles and three home runs. The key difference? Wheeler has only walked Acuña once in 28 at-bats.

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