The Atlanta Braves won five out of six games in a homestand marred by the loss of pitcher Spencer Strider to injury. The Braves swept the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, then took two of three from the St. Louis Cardinals.
With these series victories, Atlanta is nearing the winning record threshold. In true Braves fashion, however, it always comes with a price. After only pitching one game this season, fireballer Spencer Strider returns to the injury list with a hamstring strain. He is expected to be back on the field in late May.
Pitching concerns continue to plague Atlanta, leading to some interesting speculations. Although it can be agreed that the Braves need another starter or two, it is not agreed who they will be. The St. Louis Cardinals’ Sonny Gray, the former Cleveland Guardians’ Tristan McKenzie, and Braves rookie AJ Smith-Shawver have all been mentioned to shore up the starting rotation.
The Braves won all three games against Minnesota (9-15). It took a five-run eighth inning for Atlanta to get past the Twins in the opening game. Backup catcher Drake Baldwin smacked a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the eighth, driving in two runs and giving Atlanta a 6-4 lead. Braves reliever Raisel Iglesias came on in the ninth to shut down the Twins for the victory.
Game two was a 4-3 win that featured eight strikeouts for left-hander Chris Sale in four innings of work. Sale has not lasted past the fifth inning this season. The game was decided in the sixth inning with a home run from center fielder Michael Harris II and an RBI single from left fielder Alex Verduga.
In the third game, Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes held the Twins to one run, striking out seven in a 6-2 win to sweep Minnesota. He was supported by dingers from Baldwin, first baseman Matt Olson, and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.
Atlanta took two out of three games from St. Louis (10-15). Once again, the Braves needed a five-run eighth inning to win an opening game, this time against the Cardinals. It was just enough to earn a 7-6 victory, as St. Louis scored three runs off Iglesias in the ninth. Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach pitched seven solid innings, giving up eight hits and two earned runs.
The injury to Strider gave Braves newly acquired right-hander Scott Blewett his first start of the season. He lasted two innings as Atlanta resorted to a “pitch by committee” approach in the 10-4 loss of game two. The game was tied 4-4 in the eighth inning when St. Louis blew it up. The Cardinals scored three runs in the eighth off reliever Enyel De Los Santos and three more in the ninth off right-hander Nathan Wiles. Atlanta first baseman Olson and catcher Sean Murphy added home runs in the losing effort.
The rubber match on Wednesday afternoon ended as a 4-1 victory. Atlanta left fielder Eli White’s three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning put the Braves ahead for good. Atlanta starter Bryce Elder held the Cardinals to one run in six innings of solid pitching.
The Braves travel to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks (14-10) in a three-game set beginning Friday night.
They continue the road trip at Coors Field in Denver, where they will match up with the lowly Colorado Rockies (4-18).
Last week, the expectations were “to take both of their upcoming series, perhaps even a sweep of the Twins“. So, those came to fruition.
This week, expect Atlanta to compete with the Diamondbacks. Two games here would be nice, but Arizona has a winning record and a solid team. Do not expect two wins in Phoenix. The Braves should crush the Rockies in the thin air. Colorado has the worst record in the league, so a sweep in Denver is not out of the question.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
