In baseball, assumptions can be misleading. Even top teams can falter against weaker opponents. This was evident as the Atlanta Braves settled for a series split with the Miami Marlins. While the Marlins have shown a strong second half, trading away key players at the Trade Deadline makes this result feel like a missed opportunity for Atlanta.
Key Series Outcome
Entering Sunday, the Braves were 5.0 games behind the Phillies. Saturday’s loss denied them the chance to close the gap to four games. With seven more matchups between Atlanta and Philadelphia in the next two months, the NL East race remains open. However, this loss impacts the Wild Card standings significantly. Atlanta is now just half a game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres for the top Wild Card spot, with the Mets and Cardinals lurking within 2.5 games. The Wild Card race is wide open, making every loss costly.
Max Fried’s Return
Max Fried’s return to the mound was a mixed bag. Although his command was off, his velocity and pitch movement were promising. Fried lasted only 3 1/3 innings, tying his career-high with five walks. This marked his second-shortest start of the season and ended a four-start streak where he completed at least six innings. The positive takeaway is that Fried felt good post-game, which bodes well for the future.
Injury Update: Reynaldo López
Reynaldo López won’t be placed on the Injured List, but he won’t pitch in the upcoming series against the Brewers. Atlanta will rely on Chris Sale, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Schwellenbach for the three-game set, with López likely returning over the weekend.
Home Shutout
Sunday’s 7-0 defeat was the Braves’ first home shutout in a regular season game since August 28, 2021, ending a 231-game streak. This was the third-longest streak in the Modern Era, behind the Rockies’ 336 games (1999-2003) and the Yankees’ 233 games (1930-33) without a home shutout.
Homer Streak Ends
The loss also ended the Braves’ nine-game streak with at least one home run, their longest of the season. Atlanta hit 23 homers during this stretch and currently ranks seventh in the majors with 138 home runs.
Austin Riley’s Hot Streak
Austin Riley was a standout, accounting for three of Atlanta’s six hits on Sunday. This marked his sixth career three-hit game and his second in the past six games. Riley also had a season-high four hits in last Tuesday’s game in Milwaukee. Over his last six games, Riley is 10-for-25 with a homer, two doubles, and five RBIs.
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