Entering the weekend series versus the Mets on Thursday, the Braves were in a situation where winning the series could have offered very necessary breathing room in the National League Wild Card standings. Thursday and Friday night's games went quite the opposite of expectation, however.
Chris Sale threw an absolute gem Thursday night, allowing only two hits (one was a two-run home run) and two earned runs. The Braves lost that game. Friday night was much worse, as Charlie Morton only made it through 2 1/3 innings while giving up three home runs, something that Morton seems to be doing a lot this season. Throw in a few defensive miscues, and the Braves arguably endured their worst loss of the season.
At this point, the Braves have given away the lead they had in the Wild Card standings, and the season is looking like the injuries they have suffered may just be too much to bare. Turn the page to Saturday.
Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach was tasked with taking on the Mets and trying to stop the bleeding. Schwellenbach did not disappoint. Schwellenbach went 7 innings, while giving up zero earned runs and striking out 11 Mets. This was the shot in the arm that the Braves may have needed, especially after the result of Sunday's game.
Sunday was not a loss. In fact, the Braves' offense came alive to the tune of four home runs in a 9-2 victory for Atlanta. The unfortunate part of Sunday's game was that All-Star starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez left the game after only pitching 3 innings with forearm tightness.
We are still awaiting results from an MRI for Lopez, but it was widely assumed that he may not be able to effectively make it through an entire season after not being a starter for five years. To compete in a five- or seven-game series, you can get by with a three-man rotation as long as they pitch well, with help from an an effective bullpen, which is something that the Braves have had all season.
Sale is having a Cy-Young caliber season. Max Fried, while currently on the IL, is also pitching great, and joined Lopez and Sale as 2024 All-Stars. But while having three pitchers to go in the playoffs is enough, it is a much better scenario to have four.
While we have seen Morton pitch in some extremely clutch situations in the past, I'm just not sure that is who he is anymore, especially after not being available last year in the playoffs with a finger ailment. Enter Spencer Schwellenbach.
Schwellenbach has pitched well for the Braves this season, and maybe has earned his spot in a three-man Braves playoff rotation, but would be in a much better situation as the fourth.
This season is far from over, and with the trade deadline nearing, it has become very clear what the Braves need to be hunting: starting pitching, and not just anyone, the Braves need to go get an elite starter. Schwellenbach could just be the glimmer of hope the Braves need to go out there and make a move to propel them in to a long playoff run.
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