The Atlanta Braves, keepers of one of the best overall records in Major League Baseball, along with the Tampa Bay Rays, will host the Washington Nationals this weekend. The series opener on Friday, May 22, has a regular 7:15 p.m. first pitch, but the Saturday and Sunday games have a 4:10 p.m. first pitch.
The Braves played four games in the nation’s capital in April and came away with three wins by scoring 24 runs during those victories. During the first game of the series, Bryce Elder started and struck out six Nationals in a 9-4 victory. The Braves lost the second game 11-4, but bounced back to win the third game 8-6 after Didier Fuentes started, going only three innings and giving up four earned runs. Despite the rough outing, Fuentes still managed to strike out seven Nationals. Lately, he has been more of a middle-relief arm out of the Braves’ bullpen, but he can still put in a spot start when needed. JR Ricthie pitched well during the fourth game of the series, a 7-2 victory for Atlanta. The rookie went seven innings, giving up just two earned runs in the process, while striking out seven. The Braves’ offense got three-hit games from Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II, and Matt Olson.
Earlier this week, the Braves spent four days in South Florida, playing a four-game series against an improved Miami Marlins team. It didn’t start well. The Braves lost the series opener 12-0, the first double-digit loss of the year. They won the second game 8-4 behind a 10-strikeout, five-inning performance from Martin Perez. Chris Sale started game three of the series and won his ninth game of the season. Sale went seven innings, giving up just four hits and an earned run to go along with eight strikeouts. The Braves won 9-1.
On Thursday, Spencer Strider was back on the mound for his fourth start of the season. Strider was coming off a strong start (5.1 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned run) against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on Friday, May 15. He left the mound in Miami after another strong start, and another Braves win. Strider went 6.1 innings and earned the victory.
It was the second series against the Marlins this season. The Braves took two of three games in Miami in April. Atlanta lost the series opener 10-4, before winning the next two games 6-5 and 6-3 on Jackie Robinson Day.
Ronald Acuna, Jr. had missed both series against the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, both won by the Braves, but was back in the lineup for the Marlins series. Against the Marlins this season, Acuna, Jr. hadn’t exactly been lighting things up. Batting leadoff in all three games, he was 3-11 with four strikeouts and no RBI. The Braves did manage to score 16 runs, and Acuna, Jr. was 2-4 in the third and series-deciding game.
During this most recent series in Miami, Acuna, Jr. missed the first game on Monday, but was added to the active roster. Down by a dozen runs, there was no reason for Acuna, Jr. to play. The Venezuelan star outfielder returning to the lineup will allow Braves manager Walt Weiss to move catcher Drake Baldwin out of the leadoff spot. Acuna hit leadoff during the games on Tuesday and Wednesday. He left Thursday night’s game with soreness in his left hand.
Atlanta is 35-16 after taking three of four in Miami. The Braves are also 16-8 at home this season.
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