The Braves already checked off the first box with last night’s win, reaching 90 victories and locking up a postseason spot. They became the fifth team to clinch a playoff berth, joining the Rays, Brewers, Dodgers and Yankees.
Even with that milestone in the bag, there’s still work to do. Atlanta’s magic number sits at three, and the club can chip away at it again tonight if it takes the series in Houston behind Grant Holmes.
Holmes has been one of the more puzzling arms in the rotation. He was sharp in a rain-shortened outing against the Nationals on September 2, then turned in six innings of three-hit ball in Philadelphia on September 7.
But his most recent start against the Phillies at Truist on September 13 was a rougher ride: he was pulled after four innings, having allowed five hits and two earned runs. The defense helped keep the damage from snowballing, especially with Holmes struggling to locate.
The question now is which version shows up in Houston.
Atlanta will have to get through Hayden Wesneski, who gets the start for the Astros as they try to keep their AL West hopes alive. Wesneski is 5-2 with a 3.70 ERA and has settled into the Houston rotation since returning from Tommy John surgery in late July.
September has already produced a little bit of everything for him. He opened the month by holding the White Sox to one hit over seven innings, then allowed three runs on five hits in six innings against the Phillies. His last outing was his briefest of the season: 61 pitches, three innings, six hits and seven runs, though only three were earned, against the Rays.
Wesneski leans on a sweeper and mixes in a four-seamer, sinker, cutter and changeup, using that blend to fill the zone and pile up strikes. He hasn’t gone beyond 91 pitches in any of his nine appearances this season, and the Astros have given him extra time between starts.
Atlanta should be ready for him to come right after hitters in the strike zone. If the offense can build on yesterday’s two-homer burst, the Braves could be lining themselves up nicely at exactly the right moment.
In Other News...
Braves May Finally Have Their Answer In Left Field
Left field remains one of the more interesting items on Atlantas offseason checklist, and it is not hard to see why. The Braves want more offense at the position, and Randy Arozarena has emerged as a free-agent name that fits both the need and the profile of player who could help right away. He brings the kind of impact bat that can change the look of a lineup, which makes him an appealing target as the front office sorts through its roster priorities.
Of course, the challenge is rarely identifying the fit, it is winning the chase. Arozarena is expected to draw interest from multiple clubs, including the Boston Red Sox, and that kind of competition can quickly complicate a deal. Alex Anthopoulos has long been known for trying to maximize spending efficiency, so the real question may be how aggressive Atlanta is willing to be if the market pushes the price beyond its comfort zone. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Top Pitching Prospect Just Took A Big Step Closer
Davis Polo just took a notable step in the Braves system, earning a promotion to Triple-A and making his debut for Gwinnett in a strong outing against Indianapolis. The right-hander worked six scoreless innings, scattering four hits and two walks while striking out three, and the Stripers backed him with a 2-1 win.
For Atlanta, it was the kind of first impression that matters at this stage of the ladder. Gwinnett did just enough offensively, with Rowdy Tellez delivering a key double that brought in two runs, while Polo showed he can handle a higher level without much drama as he settles into Triple-A. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Just Delivered The Late-Season Win Fans Needed
The Braves got exactly the kind of late-season lift they were looking for, and Ronald Acua Jr. provided the swing that changed everything. His go-ahead grand slam helped Atlanta pull away in a 6-3 win, and the victory also locked up the series at a time when every game feels like it matters a little more.
Grant Holmes and Hayden Wesneski each gave Atlanta a quality start, giving the lineup room to breathe and the bullpen a manageable path to the finish. At 91-64, the Braves are closing in on the NL East title, and wins like this one make it look more like a matter of when than if. [Read more 🡒]