How Ronald Acuña’s ACL Injury Impacts Braves World Series Odds

Atlanta Braves outfielder and reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to miss the rest of the MLB season after suffering a torn ACL the team announced Sunday evening. Acuña sustained a left knee injury in the top of the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates just as he attempted to steal third base.

He immediately went down in pain but eventually limped off the field. Acuña was initially optimistic that the injury wasn't too serious because he didn't hear a pop, but felt pain when he went down.

“I was timing that so I could steal third," Acuña told reporters after the game through an interpreter. "But in that moment, he threw it hard. So I had to come back, and that’s when I felt it.”

Unfortunately, his MRI revealed the worst possible outcome for a player who had this same injury just three years ago. Acuña also suffered a torn ACL in his right knee midway through the 2021 season before the Braves went on a run to win the World Series that year.

The Braves have the third-best record in the NL and have a five-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the wild card race as of Monday morning. They have played a relatively tough schedule to this point in the season, but have the easiest strength of schedule, according to FanGraphs.

While the injury is devastating, the Braves are still considered a contender in terms of their odds to win the World Series. Before Acuña's injury, the Braves were listed at +450 to win the World Series at BetMGM behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (+300) and ahead of the New YorkYankees (+550). After the injury news, the Braves moved to +525 to win the World Series.