Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals reacts after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 7, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
With the Atlanta Braves hard charging towards a fourth consecutive division title, and the Washington Nationals sitting squarely in the basement of the National League East, the four game series the two just completed seemed as if it would lack substance.
Well, that was before Braves closer Will Smith decided to drill Nationals outfielder Juan Soto in the side with a 94 miles per hour fastball.