By MIKE ROBERTS
Recently, the Atlanta Braves split their four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies before losing two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays and then beating the Phillies in two of three games this past weekend. The 88-62 Braves remain on top of the National League East, leading the Philadelphia by five games in the standings.
While the Braves have not officially clinched a playoff spot yet, their magic number for reaching the playoffs dropped to four following their 9-4 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. The Braves’ magic number for winning the NL East is at seven. It seems like just a matter of time until they finally clinch a spot and try to win their first World Series since the 2021 campaign.
Here are three key storylines from the past week of Braves baseball.
Bryce Elder Will Miss Some Time
The Braves announced that Bryce Elder (8-8, 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) underwent knee surgery on Sept. 8. The right-handed pitcher had experienced some discomfort in the knee since the All-Star break. While he’s expected to miss three to four weeks, he could return in time for the playoffs.
During the first two months of the season, Elder posted a 2.50 ERA, which ranked 10th in the league, along with 61 strikeouts to 20 walks in 72 innings. In his five starts in August, he had a 5.22 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.
Atlanta has enough starting pitching depth to weather Elder’s absence for the rest of the regular season. Having said that, the Braves could use his help in order to make a deep postseason run this year.
Drake Baldwin Continues His All-Star Play
Earlier this season, Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin (.276 AVG, .800 OPS, 23 HR, 75 RBI, 3 SB) was named an All-Star for the first time in his career, and he showed why this past week. The 25-year-old currently has a six-game hitting streak heading into Monday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
During the first inning of Tuesday night’s ugly 7-1 loss to Tampa Bay, Baldwin drove in Ronald Acuña Jr. (.257 AVG, .797 OPS, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 20 SB) for Atlanta’s only run of the ballgame. The following night, the Braves suffered a similar loss, this time by a 7-2 margin. Baldwin was one of the only positives for the team as he hit a home run in the fourth inning.
Baldwin turned out to be the hero of Friday night’s 6-5 victory over the Phillies, doubling to center in the 11th to score Ha Seong-Kim (.128 AVG, .365 OPS, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 2 SB) for the game-winning run. Now that’s the perfect way to open a series against a rival team, right?
Didier Fuentes Gets Back-to-Back Wins
In Friday night’s big extra-inning victory over Philly, Braves’ All-Star pitcher Chris Sale (14-9, 2.18 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) gave up three runs and three hits but struggled with two outs showing in the second. While the former Cy Young winner finished with a no decision, Didier Fuentes (7-2, 2.27 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) got the win in relief.
The 21-year-old Fuentes allowed two hits, a run, a walk, and a strikeout in his one inning. It was his second win in as many days as he pitched a scoreless eighth in Thursday’s 3-1 victory over the Rays, which was their lone victory of the series.
Fuentes has proven to be one of the team’s most trustworthy relievers this year and should continue to be a key contributor throughout the playoffs.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Braves will hit the road for a pair of three-game series: one against the Chicago Cubs, beginning tonight; and one against the Houston Astros, starting on Friday. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
- Monday, 9/14: 7:40 PM, BravesVision/MLB Network/MLB.TV, Reynaldo Lopez (ATL) (4-4, 4.13 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) vs. David Peterson (CHC) (7-8, 5.28 ERA, 1.58 WHIP)
- Tuesday, 9/15: 7:40 PM, TBS/BravesVision/MLB.TV, Martin Perez (ATL) (8-9, 3.08 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) vs. Kevin Gausman (CHC) (9-12, 4.60 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)
- Wednesday, 9/16: 7:40 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. Shota Imanaga (CHC) (10-10, 3.88 ERA, 1.12 WHIP)
- Friday, 9/18: 8:10 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (HOU)
- Saturday, 9/19: 7:10 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (HOU)
- Sunday, 9/20: 2:10 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (HOU)