The Atlanta Braves went into the All-Star break with a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, a result that kept them from getting swept after dropping the series.
St. Louis struck first when Alec Burleson doubled in Jordan Walker for an RBI.
Atlanta answered quickly with three runs of its own, and the biggest swing came from Brewer Hicklen. He ripped a 109.1 MPH double for the first RBI of his career, scoring Jim Jarvis and pushing the Braves ahead by two.
The pitching plan changed almost immediately. Danny Young was listed as the starter at the last minute, but he lasted only one inning after giving up the opening run and issuing a walk to Lars Nootbaar. JR Ritchie, the original starter, took over before the first inning was over and handled the middle of the game, finishing with 4.1 innings, one hit, no earned runs, two walks and two strikeouts.
Atlanta’s bullpen then put the game back in danger by allowing two runs in the bottom of the sixth, leaving the teams tied. The Braves finally broke through again in the ninth, when Mauricio Dubón singled and Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn committed a throwing error that allowed Ozzie Albies to score the go-ahead run.
That was the final word on the first half of the 2026 season for Atlanta: some good, some bad, and a win to carry into the break. Now the focus shifts to the second half and the push toward October.
In Other News...
Braves Fans Had One Big Reason To Watch Cam Caminiti Closely
The 2026 MLB All-Star Futures Game in Philadelphia gave Braves fans a fresh look at Cam Caminiti, the organizations top pitching prospect, in a setting built for baseballs next wave of talent. The American League rolled to a 6-1 win over the National League, but the showcase was really about the names scattered across the field, with Jess Made, Kade Anderson, Seth Hernandez, Liam Doyle, Leo De Vries, JoJo Parker and Nathan Flewelling all getting a turn in front of a national audience.
Caminiti did his part to keep Atlantas interest alive, working a scoreless inning and striking out one in his outing. The bigger buzz from the game came elsewhere, as Flewelling turned in the kind of moment that can define a showcase like this, leaving Braves followers to track not just how Caminiti looked, but what his brief appearance says about where he stands in the organizations pipeline. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Confirmed A Ronald Acuna Jr. Update Fans Needed
Ronald Acuna Jr. is set to take another step back toward Atlantas lineup, with a rehab assignment beginning Monday at the FCL Braves. It is the latest checkpoint in a season that has again been interrupted by injury for one of the Braves most important players, and it comes with the kind of caution that has followed Acuna since his breakout years were derailed by repeated setbacks.
Ha-Seong Kim will also be in the FCL Braves mix as he starts his own rehab work, giving the club a pair of notable names to monitor at the same level. For Atlanta, the bigger picture is familiar by now: Acuna still changes the lineup when he is available, but every return now carries the lingering question of how long he can stay on the field after so many stops and starts. [Read more 🡒]
Braves May Need To Cut Bait On A Veteran Bat Fast
The Braves hold on the NL East has tightened enough that every roster spot is starting to matter a little more, and that is why the conversation around the lineup is beginning to shift. With Philadelphia and Miami closing the gap, Atlanta may not be able to carry underperforming pieces much longer, especially with the All-Star break offering a natural checkpoint for a club that still expects to contend.
Dominic Smith has become one of the more obvious names to watch because the bat that looked useful earlier in the season has not stayed at that level. Atlanta has already had to weigh how much value he brings as a designated hitter and outfielder, and the front office could soon have to decide whether the fit is worth keeping around if the offense does not rebound quickly after the break. [Read more 🡒]