By MIKE ROBERTS
It was an interesting past week for the Atlanta Braves, who took three of four from the Miami Marlins before losing two out of three against the Washington Nationals during a rainy weekend in just the Braves’ second series loss this season.
Nevertheless, the Braves still own the best record in baseball at 36-18. Here are a few takeaways from the past week.
Even the Braves Can Get Blown Out
The Braves began the week getting destroyed by the Marlins 12-0 on Monday night. Yes, you read that right: 12-0. That’s crazy! It was the largest home shutout in Marlins history and just the third time the Braves have been shut out this season. Eleven of those 12 runs came during a horrible two-inning stretch.
Any team in MLB can be blown out: bad, mediocre, good, or great. It didn’t matter that much, though, considering the Braves won the last three games of the Miami series.
Chris Sale’s Still Got It
Atlanta’s Chris Sale (7-3, 1.89 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) may be 37 years old, but he’s still good. Actually, he’s really good. The 2024 Cy Young winner looked great in his start against the Marlins on Wednesday night. During his seven innings on the mound, Sale allowed only four hits, one run, no walks, and recorded eight strikeouts as he picked up his seventh win of the season.
Sale received support from hitters like Austin Riley (.217 AVG., .666 OPS, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 3 SB), Dominic Smith (.327 AVG, .869 OPS, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 0 SB), and Ozzie Albies (.265 AVG., .746 OPS, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 0 SB) to give the Braves an impressive 9-1 victory.
Entering the game, Sale had failed to beat the Marlins in his three career starts against the franchise. But he was finally able to get the job done.
The Injury Bug Continues to Bite
On May 19, the Braves were handed some bad news with the announcement that star catcher Drake Baldwin (.313 AVG., .931 OPS, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 1 SB) was going on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right oblique muscle. It definitely wasn’t the greatest timing, seeing that fellow catcher Sean Murphy (.071 AVG., .143 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB) is already on the injured list with a fractured right finger that will keep him out for several weeks.
The Braves” latest injury concern involves former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (.242 AVG., .713 OPS, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 SB), who was removed from Thursday’s game against the Marlins as a precaution with left thumb pain. Acuna was recently activated from the 10-day injured list after missing a couple of weeks due to a strained hamstring.
The Braves certainly need those guys if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Chadwick Tromp Knows How to Be a Hero
Who in the world is Chadwick Tromp? The 31-year-old catcher began the season as the fifth catcher on the Braves’ depth chart. Yet, he proved to be the hero in Friday night’s 5-4 win in 11 innings over the Nationals.
Tromp (.364 AVG., .727 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB) entered the game during the seventh inning. He eventually hit an RBI single in the 10th before delivering the game-winning single in the 11th that scored Eli White from second base.
Atlanta called up Tromp from Triple-A Gwinnett to replace Baldwin on the active lineup, and it turned out to be a smart decision. Tromp had four hits this past week and could hold down the fort until Baldwin returns to the lineup.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Braves will hit the road for a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox, starting Tuesday, and a three-game series vs. the Cincinnati Reds, starting Friday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Tuesday, 5/26: 6:45 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV/TBS/NESN, Spencer Strider (ATL) 2-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) vs. Ranger Suarez (BOS) (2-2, 2.40 ERA, 1.01 WHIP)
Wednesday, 5/27: 6:45 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV/NESN, Bryce Elder (ATL) (4-2, 1.97 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) vs. Connelly Early (BOS) (4-2, 3.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP)
Thursday, 5/28: 4:10 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV/NESN, Chris Sale (ATL) (7-3, 1.89 ERA, 0.87 WHIP) vs. TBD (BOS)
Friday, 5/29: 6:40 PM, BravesVisio/ MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (CIN)
Saturday, 5/30: 7:15 PM, FOX/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (CIN)
Sunday, 5/31: 1:40 PM, BravesVision/MLB.TV, TBD (ATL) vs. TBD (CIN)