Tough loss last night, but Spencer Schwellenbach’s on the bump for the rubber match with the Phillies.
And the youngster’s starts are already appointment viewing.
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC
Any series win is a good series win! But methinks taking this one would be a pretty significant confidence boost for the stumbling, bumbling Bravos.
📺 Where to watch: First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. on FanDuel Sports.
⚾ The starters: Spencer Schwellenbach (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Jesus Luzardo (2-0, 1.30 ERA)
🧐 A closer look: Schwelly’s been dominant to start the 2025 season — and he owned the Phillies in 2024, going 2-0 and posting a 2.45 ERA in three starts.
- “He’s got that ability — we’ve seen it already in a young career — to step up when you need him,” manager Brian Snitker said after Schwellenbach’s previous start.
NOT-SO-FUN NUMBERS
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Wednesday’s 4-3 loss brought a few bright spots.
Grant Holmes grinding out four scoreless innings. A couple runs manufactured the old-school way. Sean Murphy reaching base three more times.
But has often been the case this season, the cons ultimately outweighed the pros.
😖 Austin Riley hit a game-tying solo shot in the bottom of the seventh. But before that, he twice failed to drive anyone in with the bases loaded.
- Overall, the Braves left 12 runners on base. That’s their most so far this year.
😖 Bryce Harper’s seventh-inning home run was the 45th of his career against the Braves. That’s the most of any active player.
😖 Trea Turner’s game-winning homer was his third against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias — in just eight at-bats.
MEANWHILE, IN VIRGINIA …
Spencer Strider’s just finished his third — and possibly final — rehab start with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.
📈 Strider threw his allotted 90 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. He surrendered three hits, two walks and one earned run while striking out 12.
We’ll see how he feels afterward, but that likely sets up a return to the Braves sometime next week.
📈 Who would you like to see Strider replace in the rotation? Bryce Elder’s the last-one-in, first-one-out choice. But Holmes and AJ Smith-Shawver are also possibilities.
- Email me with thoughts. Or questions. About anything!
RIVAL WATCH
Let’s take a quick stroll through the rest of the National League East, shall we?
🔔 The Phillies (8-3) have been discussed enough above, I think.
🚽 The Mets (8-4) failed to sweep the Marlins (see below) and now head to take on the Athletics — at their temporary home in Sacramento.
- The Braves are set for their own weird stadium adventure in Tampa this weekend. More on that in tomorrow’s Braves Report.
🎣 The Marlins (6-6) shutout the Mets on Wednesday, with Max Meyer carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. They start a home series with the Nationals tomorrow.
🪰 The Nationals (5-7) dropped last night’s finale against the world-beating Dodgers — but only after winning the first two games of the series.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Credit: Mike Stewart/AP
Credit: Mike Stewart/AP
The Braves honored Chris Sale and his 2024 Cy Young Award before Wednesday night’s game — which was also Sale bobblehead night at Truist Park.
Thanks for reading Braves Report. Tell a friend — and maybe give the AJC’s Sports Daily newsletter a shot, too.
Until next time.
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