The NL East has been decided, but the war of words between the Braves and Phillies looks like it’ll continue.
It all started on Wednesday morning, when Phillies manager Rob Thomson made an apparent reference to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s boisterous home run celebration from the night before. Acuña celebrated all around the bases after crushing a homer in the fifth inning of Atlanta’s extra-innings victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. The following morning, during an appearance on Philadelphia’s WIP Morning Show, Thomson said, “I like our guys to act like they’ve been there before.” While he didn’t call out Acuña by name, it doesn’t take a detective to figure out he was talking about the MVP candidate.
Thomson’s message was evidently heard loud and clear in the Atlanta clubhouse. Just before the start of Wednesday’s series finale, Braves pitcher Tyler Matzek sent a tweet backing Acuña and telling his detractors to “keep it down so everyone else can enjoy the show.”
If you don’t like it, stop it. If you can’t stop it, admire it. If you can’t admire it, keep it down so everyone else can enjoy the show. #AcunaMVP pic.twitter.com/xosYsIZe9U
— Tyler “Nutsack” Matzek (@TylerMatzek) September 13, 2023
In keeping with Thomson’s approach, Matzek didn’t specifically name the Phillies manager, but it’s clear who the message was directed at. Matzek has not played this season while he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but he still has his teammate’s back.
Acuña and the Braves got the last laugh on Wednesday night. Their 4–1 win clinched their sixth straight NL East title and as the Braves were celebrating on the field after the game, Phillies fans showered them with boos. Acuña taunted the fans by putting his hand up to his ear and urging them to keep booing. As Matzek said, if you can’t admire it, keep it down so everyone else can enjoy the show.
