The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for an important matchup today as they look to avoid a sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Truist Park. This season, the Braves have faced significant challenges, reminiscent of a theme from Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” where they have seemed to betray themselves despite having many opportunities. Last night’s game highlighted this struggle, as the team managed to get on base with walks and bloop hits in the final two innings, yet couldn’t convert those chances into runs.
The Braves have been attempting to adjust their strategies, but their recent swing-heavy approach hasn’t yielded positive results, as they are swinging at more pitches out of the strike zone. Earlier in the season, the team demonstrated a better ability to avoid chasing pitches and executed a more effective offensive game. Reverting to their previous successful strategies may be essential for turning things around, though it feels like a daunting task akin to freeing a ship stuck in the Suez Canal.
On the pitching front, Grant Holmes will take the mound for the Braves. His season statistics, showing a 93/120/97 line, reflect a mixed bag of performance, exacerbated by troubling home run rates that have impacted the team’s overall success. Despite avoiding home runs in only three of his eleven starts, Holmes has shown flashes of brilliance, with strong performances in five of his last six outings.
Opposing him will be Brandon Pfaadt, who has had his own struggles with home runs, holding a -0.3 fWAR this season due to similar issues. Both pitchers know the pressure of trying to find their footing in a challenging season. Pfaadt’s recent outing saw him falter dramatically, failing to retire any batters, but he’ll be seeking redemption against a Braves lineup eager to turn the tides at home.
Fans can catch all the action today at 12:15 p.m. ET on FanDuel Sports South, MLB Network (out-of-market), or streaming on MLB.tv. Radio broadcasts will be available on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, as well as La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM.
While the season has been tough for both teams, every game is an opportunity for growth and change. The Braves have the talent needed to recover, and today’s game will be vital in determining their path moving forward.