Braves Report: A Marcell Ozuna lookalike checks in

The Braves are now 4-11. Chris Sale’s rightfully frustrated after another rough outing on Sunday. The bats … well, still not great.

But at least it’s (probably) Spencer Strider week?

THE SERIES AHEAD

To Toronto we go. Perhaps a journey north of the border will shake things up?

📺 How to watch: Tonight and Tuesday’s games start at 7:07 p.m., with Wednesday’s series finale at 1:07 p.m. All will air on FanDuel Sports.

⚾ The starters: Grant Holmes goes tonight, with Spencer Schwellenbach on Tuesday — and Spencer Strider expected to make his season debut on Wednesday.

📈 Scouting report: The Blue Jays are 9-7 on the young season, which is good enough to lead the American League East.

DISHING WITH A DOPPELGANGER

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Last Thursday, a fan cosplaying as Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna got some TV attention as he lingered near the home dugout following a lengthy rain delay. He feigned signs, caught a foul ball, predicted Ozuna’s eventual walk-off.

With the help of Christine, a faithful Braves Report reader, I tracked him down. His name’s Dell Poole, and he’s a 36-year-old season ticket holder from Smyrna.

Here’s his deal.

🤔 Why he did it: Dell told me he actually wears a full uniform to every game. And yes, he’s knows it’s not a particularly flattering look — but he’s been doing it for about seven years.

“The main reason I do it is because a lot of the kids don’t get a chance to meet the players,” he said. “If I can dress the part, you’ve got 5-, 6-, 7-year-olds lining up for pictures.”

A father of five, he said the kids are well aware he’s not a real player — but they still love it.

He does his shtick at his regular seat (“that’s just me being me”) to more localized fanfare. But he said a couple Braves players waved him down toward the dugout Thursday night, fueling his broadcast debut.

🤔 Why he was wearing a Manny Piña jersey: Yes, the jersey of a catcher that played … five games with the Braves in 2022.

“Sometimes I wear lesser known players because it’s easier for me to get them,” Poole said.

He’s got “trophy” jerseys, he said. But a ballpark is one big stain waiting to happen, so he often errs on the side of caution.

🤔 What he thinks of the Braves start: “I feel like we’ll be all right,” he said — “if we can come up with a better plan at the plate and stop trying to hit home runs.”

Sounds about right!

‘I’M JUST BAD’

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

How rough has Chris Sale’s 2025 season been so far?

📉 He surrendered six hits and three earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings in Sunday’s 8-3 loss to the Rays.

📉 He’s yet to go more than five innings in any of his four starts.

📉 Overall, he sports a 6.63 ERA and has allowed 14 earned runs.

📉 That’s nearly one-third of the 47 he allowed over the entirety of 2024.

The most frustrating part? Sale’s not even sure what the issue is: “I don’t know. Might be something you better ask the other team. I don’t know. I’m just trying to compete and trying to throw strikes, and it’s just not working.”

HELP ON THE WAY

The Braves’ bats, of course, remain a major issue. Atlanta’s hitting .205 with runners on base, which ranks 26th out of 30 teams.

But a boost to the rotation won’t hurt — especially when it’s Spencer Strider.

I asked y’all last week who you’d prefer to see Strider replace in the rotation … and you overwhelmingly said Bryce Elder. Naturally, the Braves instead sent AJ Smith-Shawver back to the minors over the weekend.

❓ How are we feeling about that? Frustrated? Or just happy old No. 99 is headed back to the bump?

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Thanks for reading Braves Report. Tell a friend — and maybe give the AJC’s Sports Daily newsletter a shot, too.

Until next time.