ChopHouse Chronicles : An Atlanta Braves Dynasty

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Braves Cruise Past Diamondbacks to Stay Perfect

Sunday, April 7, 2024

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves continued their red-hot start to the 2024 season Sunday, trouncing the Arizona Diamondbacks 14-1 at Truist Park to improve to 9-0. The victory capped off a dominant series sweep, during which Atlanta outscored Arizona 29-2.

Ronald Acuña Jr. set the tone early, smashing a leadoff home run off Brandon Pfaadt to give Atlanta a quick 1-0 lead. The homer, the 35th leadoff shot of Acuña’s career, energized the sold-out crowd on a beautiful evening in Cobb County. Arizona briefly tied the game in the second inning with Joc Pederson’s solo home run, but the Braves responded in emphatic fashion.

Matt Olson reclaimed the lead for Atlanta in the fifth inning with the first of his two home runs, a no-doubt shot to right-center field. Acuña struck again in the seventh, blasting his second home run of the night, as the Braves’ offense erupted for a flurry of late runs. Austin Riley broke out of his early-season slump with a 4-for-5 performance, raising his batting average to .307 and tallying four singles in the process.

Reynaldo López (1-0) earned his first win of the season, delivering six solid innings and allowing just one run on Pederson’s homer. A.J. Minter and Jesse Chavez combined for three scoreless innings of relief to secure Atlanta’s third consecutive series sweep.

“We’re firing on all cylinders right now,” manager Brian Snitker said. “The guys are playing with confidence and having fun. That’s a dangerous combination.”

The Braves face their second divisional challenge of the season Monday night, hosting the New York Mets in the opener of a four-game series. Bryce Elder (1-0, 6.00 ERA) will start for Atlanta, opposing Mets right-hander Adrian Houser (0-1, 9.00 ERA).

Harris Exits With Injury

Michael Harris II left Sunday’s game in the sixth inning after injuring his leg while attempting to steal third base. The Braves have yet to release an official update on Harris’s condition, but any extended absence would be a significant loss for Atlanta’s lineup and defense.

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Braves Drop First Game of the Season to Mets

Monday, April 8, 2024

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves’ perfect start to the season came to an end Monday night as they fell to the New York Mets 8-5 at Truist Park. The loss dropped Atlanta to 9-1 while New York improved to 6-4.

It was an ominous beginning for the Braves when Starling Marte (.425) smashed a leadoff home run into the visiting bullpen off Bryce Elder (1-0, 6.54 ERA). Elder lasted 5 innings, giving up 4 earned runs and leaving the game with Atlanta trailing. Despite the rough start, Atlanta’s bats showed signs of life late in the game, tying the score at 5-5 in the eighth inning thanks to an Adam Duvall (.500) laser home run to left field.

However, the Mets regained control in the ninth inning, capitalizing on a shaky outing from A.J. Minter (9.81 ERA). Minter allowed four hits and three earned runs while recording just one out, effectively sealing the loss for Atlanta.

“It’s just one of those nights,” manager Brian Snitker said. “We’ve been playing great baseball, but this league has a way of humbling you quickly.”

Injury Woes Continue

The Braves’ injury list grew longer before the game as Michael Harris II underwent testing and was diagnosed with a sprained knee ligament. The standout outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list, and infielder Alejo Lopez was called up to fill the 26-man roster. Harris joins a growing list of injured Braves that includes Joe Jimenez, Chris Sale, and Orlando Arcia.

Later in the game, the Braves suffered another blow as Joe Jimenez fractured his hand in the sixth inning after being struck by a line drive. Jimenez is expected to miss at least two months, further thinning Atlanta’s bullpen. Tyler Matzek has been recalled to take Jimenez’s place.

“It’s tough to see guys like Michael and Joe go down,” Snitker said. “We’ll need everyone to step up and fill those roles while they’re out.”

Offensive Struggles

Atlanta’s offense relied heavily on the long ball, with all five of their runs coming via home runs. Ozzie Albies, Adam Duvall, and Jarred Kelenic (who hit two) all went deep. However, the Braves struggled to capitalize on opportunities with runners in scoring position, an issue that cost them in a close game.

Looking Ahead

Game 2 of the series promises to be a pitchers’ duel as Spencer Strider (0-0, 1.42 ERA) faces Kodai Senga (1-0, 0.79 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. EST on Tuesday night at Truist Park.

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Braves Win in Walk-Off Fashion Against Mets

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves (10-1) edged the New York Mets (6-5) in a thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory at Truist Park. Both teams promised a pitcher’s duel, and the match-up between Spencer Strider and Kodai Senga delivered as advertised. In the end, Ozzie Albies played hero with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Pitcher’s Duel

Spencer Strider (5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K) and Kodai Senga (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K) were locked in from the start. Both starters limited damage and worked out of tight spots, though their outings were cut short due to high pitch counts as each battled hitters into deep counts throughout the game. Both allowed a single run, with Brett Baty providing the Mets’ lone early offense via a solo home run in the first inning off Strider.

Key Offensive Moments

Atlanta equalized in the sixth inning when Austin Riley launched his first home run of the season, a no-doubter to left field. Sean Murphy followed in the seventh inning with a solo shot of his own, marking his first homer of the year. As the game headed to extra innings tied at 1-1, the Braves relied on their bullpen to keep the Mets at bay.

Raisel Iglesias, tasked with holding the Mets scoreless in the top of the 10th, delivered a perfect inning, retiring the side in order. In the bottom half, Alejo Lopez, recently called up to the active roster, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Adam Duvall to third base. With one out, Ozzie Albies stepped to the plate and delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly, notching the seventh walk-off of his career.

Injury Woes Continue

The Braves’ injury concerns deepened as outfielder Jarred Kelenic strained his hamstring in what the team has described as a severe grade injury. Kelenic was immediately placed on the 10-day injured list, adding to Atlanta’s growing list of sidelined players. In response, the Braves dipped into the free-agent market, signing outfielder Kyle Lewis to a league-minimum deal. Lewis, a Georgia native, was the 11th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft and won the 2020 AL Rookie of the Year award. Over his career, Lewis has posted a 103 OPS+ with 26 home runs.

Looking Ahead

Game 3 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night. Atlanta will send Max Fried (2-0, 2.77 ERA) to the mound to face Luis Severino (0-0, 3.18 ERA). First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. EST as the Braves look to secure another series victory.

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Braves Shut Down Mets in 3-0 Victory

April 10, 2024

The Braves (11-1) defeated the Mets (6-6) in the third game of their four-game series, taking a 2-1 series lead. Max Fried delivered another stellar performance, continuing his dominant start to the season. The lefty tossed seven shutout innings, striking out six while scattering four hits. His consistency on the mound is proving to be pivotal in his contract year.

Making his first MLB appearance since 2022, Tyler Matzek looked sharp in relief, and Raisel Iglesias secured his NL-leading sixth save of the season with a flawless ninth inning.

Offensively, the Braves leaned heavily on Matt Olson, who continued his MVP-caliber start to the season. Olson finished 2-for-2, blasting a three-run homer to right field (exit velocity: 101 MPH) and ripping a 118 MPH single to center field. He also drew two walks, showcasing his patience at the plate (3rd in the NL in BB's drawn). Marcell Ozuna chipped in with an insurance run in the seventh, driving in himself with a solo shot to left center field to extend the lead.

In his debut with Atlanta, Kyle Lewis went 0-for-3 at the plate but drew a walk and made a strong defensive impact with an assist from left field. On the other side, Francisco Lindor saw his nine-game hitting streak snapped, going 0-for-4 and striking out in the final at-bat of the ballgame.

Looking ahead, the Braves have activated Orlando Arcia from the injured list. To make room, infielder Eli White has been sent down to AAA. The series finale will take place Thursday afternoon, with Spencer Schwellenbach (2-0, 1.50 ERA) facing Sean Manaea (1-1, 3.38 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 12:20 PM EST.

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Braves Finish Series With Historic Victory

April 11, 2024

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves capped their series against the Mets with a dominant 10-0 victory Thursday at Truist Park, highlighted by a record-breaking performance from rookie pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach. The win secured a 3-1 series victory for Atlanta, which improved to 12-1 on the season.

Schwellenbach delivered a historic outing, striking out 17 batters to set the Braves' Atlanta-era record for strikeouts in a game, surpassing Spencer Strider's 16-strikeout performance in 2022 versus Colorado. Over nine innings, Schwellenbach allowed just four hits and no runs, lowering his season ERA to 0.86. His game score of 93 tied for the fifth-best in franchise history.

The Braves’ offense provided more than enough support, led by Matt Olson, who launched a grand slam in the third inning to break the game open. Olson, continuing his hot start to the season, also added a single and two walks, contributing to Atlanta’s 10-run outburst. Shortstop Orlando Arcia, returning from the injured list, went 3-for-4 and scored twice in his season debut.

“It was an unbelievable performance by Spencer,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We knew he had the potential to do something special, and today was just that. The offense came through, and it was a great team win.”

Schwellenbach’s start to his career has been nothing short of sensational. He became the first pitcher since Eduardo Rodriguez in 2015 to log more than 20 innings while allowing fewer than two runs in his first three career starts. His FIP sits at 0.95, and he has already accumulated 1.0 fWAR this season.

For the Mets, the series loss marked a continuation of their struggles as they now fall below .500 to 6-7.

Atlanta now shifts its focus to a three-game series against the Marlins, who have surprised many with an 8-5 start. The Braves will send Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 4.09 ERA) to the mound Friday night, while the Marlins are expected to start Trevor Rogers (0-0, 1.50 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT.

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MLB Thursday Night Recap

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Power Rankings

1	Braves (12-1)
2	Dodgers (10-5)
3	Guardians (10-3)
4	Orioles (10-2)
5	Rangers (9-4)
6	Padres (9-6)
7	Mariners (9-4)
8	Blue Jays (6-7)
9	Brewers (6-6)
10	Red Sox (7-6)
11	Astros (8-6)
12	Tigers (6-6)
13	Marlins (8-5)
14	Phillies (6-7)
15	Reds (7-6)
16	Rockies (7-6)
17	Angels (6-6)
18	Nationals (5-7)
19	Pirates (4-9)
20	Cubs (6-6)
21	Twins (5-7)
22	Royals (4-9)
23	Mets (6-7)
24	Athletics (5-8)
25	Diamondbacks (5-8)
26	Giants (6-7)
27	Cardinals (3-10)
28	Rays (3-10)
29	Yankees (3-10)
30	White Sox (3-10)

Notable Movement in Power Rankings

The Braves have jumped up to claim their throne as the best team in MLB, while the Orioles have climbed to No. 4 following an impressive week. The Dodgers slipped one spot but remain a strong contender. The Mariners surged into the top 10 after a dominant week, while the Yankees and Rays continue to struggle, both sitting near the bottom of the rankings.

Top Performers

1B Matt Olson is off to a torrid start, hitting .392 with 8 home runs and an MLB-leading 26 RBIs. His performance has been crucial for the Braves' hot start to the season.

Cleveland rookie SS Brayan Rocchio has emerged as an AL MVP candidate early in the season, hitting .439 with 3 home runs.

Spencer Schwellenbach and Max Fried have put Atlanta atop the Cy Young Watch, with ERA marks of 0.86 and 1.80, respectively.

Baltimore ace Corbin Burnes is dominating the AL with a 1.35 ERA and a 3-0 record.

Shohei Ohtani continues to defy convention, with a 1.89 ERA on the mound and 7 home runs at the plate despite a low .175 batting average.

Injury Report

Atlanta has suffered multiple injuries, with OF Jarred Kelenic and RP Joe Jimenez out for extended periods.

Philadelphia's Bryson Stott fractured his foot, sidelining him for at least six weeks.

Baltimore's Kyle Bradish landed on the IL due to lingering shoulder soreness and will be out for at least 30 days.

Weekend Series to Watch

• Yankees (3-10) at Guardians (10-3): The Yankees (10-3) travel to Cleveland (10-3), in what could be a pivotal matchup early in the season. The Yankees were projected to make a deep run in the playoffs this season and are off to a very slow start, and now come up against a very well rounded Cleveland team..



• Astros (8-6) at Rangers (9-4): A rematch of last weekend's Texas showdown, this time in Houston. The Rangers won the last series 2-1.


• Braves (12-1) at Marlins (8-5): Atlanta looks to stay red-hot as they face a surprisingly competitive Miami team.


• Brewers (6-6) at Orioles (10-2): A fascinating interleague clash between surging teams.

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