Between the turn of the calendar and an “overrated” chant in Atlanta, a sleeping giant has awaken in Juan Soto. Friday, the Washington National slugger continued his hot streak of June, hitting his third home run in four games.
Soto took Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler deep to left to break a 1-1 tie in sixth. The blast proved to be the game-winner, as the Nationals clipped the Phillies 2-1. Aware he hit a no-doubter, Soto turned his eyes to Wheeler briefly staring down the hurler, to say I got you this time!
It was a back-and-forth battle between the two stars. Wheeler got the best of Soto in their fourth inning battle. Soto just missed a fastball over the plate. He stared at Wheeler after fouling off the pitch. Wheeler came right back and caught Soto looking with a 98 mph steamer on the next pitch to strike him out.
So it was fitting, Soto returned the favor the next go-around in the sixth when he hit the homer. Soto explained his stare at Wheeler was him just having some fun and being competitive. He added Phillies catcher JT Realmuto was bantering Soto by reminding him Wheeler was getting the best of him.
Wheeler and Realmuto seemingly poked the bear one too many times. Through it all it was an entertaining battle between Soto and the Phillies combo with the Nationals slugger getting the last laugh.
A left shoulder strain landed Soto on the injured list at the end of April. He returned and struggled at the plate to lift the ball off his bat. He had just two home runs and eight RBI’s in 87 at-bats in the month of May.
However, the flip of the calendar to June along with Braves fans chanting “overrated” at him earlier this week has seemed to spark last year’s NL batting champion. In four games this month, Soto now has three home runs and seven RBI’s. Meanwhile, the Nationals have won three of those four.
