The Braves are rolling into Pittsburgh with the same lineup they used last night, and there’s a good reason for that: the bats are finally waking up.
Atlanta was dead last in MLB in runs scored during June, but the first week of July has looked a whole lot different. The Braves have scored the fifth most runs in MLB so far this month, and the surge has been fueled by a few big individual performances.
Michael Harris has been leading the charge with a 205 wRC+, followed by Matt Olson at 176 and Mauricio Dubón at 165. Harris’ All-Star snub stands out even more with that kind of production, and there’s still a chance he could get in as an injury replacement if needed.
That improved offense will be tested by Paul Skenes, who has been hit hard in his last two outings. Over those two starts, he has thrown just 9.0 innings and allowed eleven runs. The Pirates have dropped the last nine games Skenes has pitched in, even though Pittsburgh has scored the fourth most runs in MLB since the start of June.
Atlanta’s history against Skenes is limited. Only five players on the Braves’ active roster have faced him before, and none of them have more than three at-bats. Austin Riley is 1-for-3, Ozzie Albies is 1-for-2, and Olson, Smith, and Yastrzemski are all hitless in their limited chances.
There was some reason to think the Braves might tweak things a bit, especially with injuries in the mix and Skenes on the mound as a right-hander. Smith singled last night but has been struggling lately, while Joey Bart has posted a 172 wRC+ over his last eight at-bats. Still, Atlanta stayed with the same group, sticking with what has worked.
Pittsburgh’s offense has been steady too. The Pirates have scored the fourth most runs in MLB since the start of June, and they’ve been just as productive since the start of July, ranking fourth in that span as well.
Hurston Waldrep will be facing a lineup he barely knows, with only one player having faced him before. Brandon Lowe took him deep for a solo homer in their lone meeting.
In Other News...
Braves May Already Have Their Best Shortstop Answer In House
Cristian Dubn has quietly become one of the more useful bats in the Braves mix, showing up near the top of the club in batting average and OPS while adding the kind of situational production that tends to matter in October-style baseball. His work has been especially notable with two outs and runners in scoring position, and he has also given Atlanta valuable defensive flexibility by handling shortstop and several other spots around the diamond.
That versatility is part of why Dubn has started to look like a real answer for a team still sorting out its long-term shortstop picture. The Braves have other options in the conversation, and rookie Jim Jarvis has done enough to stay on the radar, but he still profiles more as a utility piece than a clear everyday solution. With the position unsettled beyond this season, Dubns all-around value is making the decision harder, not easier. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Deadline Focus Just Shifted To A Move Fans Have Wanted
Atlantas position atop the NL East has held up even through a rough June, and a recent series win over the Pirates offered a reminder that the Braves are still very much in the mix. But the bigger picture around the club has shifted toward what comes next, with Alex Anthopoulos already signaling that Atlanta expects to be active at the trade deadline and that pitching help will be a priority.
The emphasis on starting pitching makes sense for a team trying to steady itself for the stretch run, and the market could push the Braves toward a familiar veteran type if they decide to make a move. Sonny Gray has surfaced as one name to watch, giving fans a reason to keep an eye on how aggressively Atlanta pursues rotation upgrades over the next few weeks. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Just Revealed Two Braves Deadline Fits Fans Will Obsess Over
The Braves deadline conversation is already taking shape around two very different needs, and ESPNs Jeff Passan put a spotlight on both. Atlanta is looking for starting pitching help, and Passan flagged Freddy Peralta as a possible fit while also pointing to the shortstop market, where CJ Abrams stands out as the kind of player who could reshape a lineup if he ever became available.
Abrams is the more intriguing name for Braves fans because the upside is obvious, but the path to a deal is anything but. Passan noted the Nationals are highly unlikely to move him and would drive a massive price if they even entertained it, which leaves Atlanta in the familiar spot of weighing big-name possibilities against the reality of what actually gets done in July. [Read more 🡒]