4 Braves takeaways: Vibing after sweep of Mets, 20-year-old pitches Friday, Acuña feats, more
ATLANTA — Eleven days ago, the Braves had stumbled through their second seven-game losing streak of the first half of the season and dropped a sixth consecutive series. Now they've won three series in a row and seven of their last nine games.
And four days after an embarrassing 10-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the Braves finished a series sweep of their NL East rival New York Mets, who came to Atlanta with the National League's best record, with a 7-1 win Thursday,
Advertisement
Spencer Strider pitched six strong innings, and Matt Olson broke things open with a three-run double to fuel Atlanta's 26th win in 36 games against the Mets since 2022.
'I feel like that's the closest we've been to playing just a complete series,' said Strider, who had eight strikeouts with one walk. 'We know what we're capable of. Speaking for myself, and I'm sure for everybody else, it's just reassuring to go out and have some justification for the work you've been doing and that belief that we've had this whole time that we can play better baseball.
'Now the challenge is to continue to do it, obviously. It doesn't get easier from here.'
Atlanta still trails the Mets and now co-leading Philadelphia Phillies by 10 games in the East, but the Braves have regained momentum and have 10 more games against the Mets, including a four-game series that starts Monday at New York.
'The last three series have been really good, and to cap it off with a (sweep) against the Mets is huge,' said third baseman Austin Riley, who had one of the Braves' season-high nine walks Thursday. 'The biggest thing I hope we can take from this is just that we can compete with anybody. I just hope we can take the confidence away from that and keep it rolling. That was an unbelievable series.'
The Braves are within five games of the third and final wild-card spot with 89 to go. Ample time, if they can continue playing as they did during a 5-1 homestand — when the Braves' starting rotation looked as deep as any in the majors and the offense averaged more than 5 1/2 runs despite still having some glaring soft spots in the lineup.
After Chris Sale's sensational 8 2/3 innings in Wednesday's 5-0 shutout, Strider came through with his second impressive start in a row.
After going 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA in his first starts while shaking off rust from a yearlong rehab for elbow surgery, and also a month sidelined by a hamstring strain, Strider is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA, 21 Ks and two walks in his last two starts.
Advertisement
'I kind of feel like our old selves again,' Braves manager Brian Snitker said. 'This was a really good series. Did some things we hadn't been doing. So, hopefully, that's the start of something really good that we continue to build on.'
The Braves are calling up Colombian prospect Didier Fuentes, who turned 20 on Tuesday, to start Friday's series opener at Miami after just six starts above Single A. It's a spot start to allow other Braves to get extra rest before next week's series at New York, and a good showing could put Fuentes in line for more chances this summer.
Reliever José Ruiz was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Fuentes, who will be the first major leaguer born in 2005 and only current one under 21. The 6-foot right-hander will be the third-youngest to pitch for the Braves in the team's Atlanta era since 1966.
The move will allow Spencer Schwellenbach, Sale and Strider to start on extra rest against the Mets. Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder will start Saturday and Sunday at Miami.
Fuentes, who throws a fastball that reaches 97 mph and a slider, entered this spring ranked as the Braves' No. 11 prospect by The Athletic's Keith Law and No. 7 by Baseball America.
But after drawing attention at spring training with seven strikeouts in three scoreless innings against Detroit Tigers prospects in the Spring Breakout game, Fuentes climbed to No. 3 in the Braves system according to FanGraphs, which has him 82nd overall in its top 100 prospects. Not bad for a kid the Braves signed for $75,000 in 2022.
Didier Fuentes tossed a beaut in his Triple-A debut 👏
4.2 IP | 3 H | 1 R | 1 ER | 0 BB | 6 SO pic.twitter.com/UxHp7tiLx1
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) June 14, 2025
What has Snitker heard about Fuentes from Braves player development officials and minor-league staffers?
'It's just all really good stuff,' Snitker said. 'The guy throws strikes, and he's got a good fastball that plays. It sounds like he's a kid that's kind of above his years, as far as maturity and (throwing) strikes and (his) stuff.'
Advertisement
Fuentes will be the youngest major-league starter since 2016, when the Los Angeles Dodgers' Julio Urías pitched against the Phillies four days shy of his 20th birthday.
Fuentes has pitched in 37 games (33 starts) above rookie ball, including nine starts above Low A, all this season. He's 0-7 with a 4.81 ERA in those nine, but that line doesn't reflect how the Braves view his recent progress.
He began the season at High-A Rome and was promoted after three starts to Double-A Columbus, then promoted again after five starts there, which included a 2.57 ERA and .188 opponents' average in his last three.
He continued to impress in his Triple-A debut Saturday, allowing three hits and one run with no walks and six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Fuentes has 48 strikeouts with 12 walks and two homers in 39 1/3 innings this season.
The Braves had five sacrifice flies in the first five games of the homestand, the most in the majors during that time. This from a team that had just 12 sacrifice flies through June 12, the fewest in the majors.
They also had a majors-worst .267 average with a runner on third and less than two outs before this homestand. They went 3-for-10 with a walk and those five sac flies on the homestand before Thursday, when the big blow in the game was Olson's bases-loaded double with one out in the sixth.
'I feel really good about what we've been doing lately,' Snitker said of situational improvement. 'It's starting to come around with more than just one guy. It's what we've been striving to do. So, hopefully, we're gonna get in a groove where we're passing the baton and keeping the thing moving and being more like what we're capable of.'
Riley said of Atlanta's offensive improvement, 'You go through periods where you put pressure on yourself and you want it so bad and then it just kind of spirals. At some point, you just got to let it go, let the game come to you and relax. And I think you're seeing that with some guys, and other guys are feeding off of it. And you're able to move up and down the lineup, flip the lineup. And our pitching has been great.'
Advertisement
Ronald Acuña Jr. homered on the first pitch in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday off the Mets' Paul Blackburn, his 36th leadoff homer to extend his Braves record. It was Acuña's 15th leadoff homer on the first pitch, the second-most in MLB history behind Hall of Famer Craig Biggio's 19.
Since Acuña's 2018 debut, only two others have double-digit leadoff homers: Jose Altuve (12) and Kyle Schwarber (11).
First pitch.
Ronald Acuña Jr. was ready 😤 pic.twitter.com/bOFdUk70pY
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2025
The Braves have long been willing to bring up young players sooner than many anticipated, ranging from 19-year-old center fielder Andruw Jones in 1996 to 20-year-old pitchers Michael Soroka (2018) and AJ Smith-Shawver (2023).
'And it doesn't matter if they're young or they've been around a while, when they step on that major-league mound for the first time, you don't know what (will happen),' Snitker said. 'When I managed in Triple A, (former Braves GM John Schuerholz) would call down about bringing a guy up, and I'd say, well, he's done everything he can do here. I have no idea when you put him in that atmosphere in the major leagues what's going to happen. You don't ever know.'
Fuentes will be the youngest to pitch in any capacity for the Braves since Mike McQueen made his MLB debut for Atlanta in October 1969, barely a month past his 19th birthday.
The youngest Atlanta-era Braves pitcher was Charlie Vaughan, 18 years and 332 days old when he debuted with a start in September 1966. Vaughan was the only major leaguer in 1966 who was younger than Mets rookie Nolan Ryan, who was 19 when he debuted that same month.
Vaughan pitched in just two MLB games, that start in 1966 and a relief appearance in June 1969.
(Photo of Spencer Strider: Edward M. Pio Roda / Getty Images)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Braves visit the Mets to begin 4-game series
Atlanta Braves (35-41, third in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (46-32, second in the NL East) New York; Monday, 7:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.26 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 92 strikeouts); Mets: Paul Blackburn (0-1, 6.92 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, eight strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -130, Mets +110; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets open a four-game series at home against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. New York is 27-10 in home games and 46-32 overall. Mets hitters have a collective .326 on-base percentage, the seventh-best percentage in MLB play. Atlanta is 35-41 overall and 13-26 on the road. The Braves have the fourth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 3.68. The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has 22 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 64 RBIs while hitting .290 for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 14 for 39 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games. Advertisement Matt Olson has 18 doubles and 15 home runs for the Braves. Ronald Acuna is 17 for 33 with three doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mets: 2-8, .220 batting average, 5.95 ERA, outscored by 33 runs Braves: 7-3, .254 batting average, 3.13 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs INJURIES: Mets: Max Kranick: 15-Day IL (elbow), Tylor Megill: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kodai Senga: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Brooks Raley: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mark Vientos: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jesse Winker: 10-Day IL (side), Danny Young: 60-Day IL (elbow), A.J. Minter: 60-Day IL (lat), Frankie Montas: 60-Day IL (lat), Sean Manaea: 60-Day IL (oblique), Jose Siri: 10-Day IL (shin), Nick Madrigal: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Smith: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christian Scott: 60-Day IL (elbow) Advertisement Braves: Chris Sale: 15-Day IL (rib), Daysbel Hernandez: 15-Day IL (arm), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Padres take on the Nationals in first of 3-game series
Washington Nationals (32-46, fourth in the NL East) vs. San Diego Padres (42-35, third in the NL West) San Diego; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Mitchell Parker (4-8, 4.71 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 58 strikeouts); Padres: Stephen Kolek (3-2, 3.59 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 37 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Padres -162, Nationals +137; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres host the Washington Nationals on Monday to start a three-game series. San Diego has a 23-13 record at home and a 42-35 record overall. Padres pitchers have a collective 3.61 ERA, which ranks ninth in the majors. Washington is 32-46 overall and 16-22 on the road. The Nationals have gone 25-13 in games when they record at least eight hits. The teams meet Monday for the first time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Arraez has 16 doubles, four triples and three home runs for the Padres. Manny Machado is 8 for 39 with two doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games. Advertisement Luis Garcia has 18 doubles and seven home runs for the Nationals. James Wood is 10 for 38 with three doubles and five home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Padres: 4-6, .263 batting average, 4.65 ERA, outscored opponents by one run Nationals: 2-8, .259 batting average, 5.80 ERA, outscored by 15 runs INJURIES: Padres: Yu Darvish: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael King: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Logan Gillaspie: 15-Day IL (oblique ), Jhony Brito: 60-Day IL (forearm), Joe Musgrove: 60-Day IL (elbow) Nationals: Andrew Chafin: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Dylan Crews: 10-Day IL (back), Paul DeJong: 10-Day IL (face), Orlando Ribalta: 15-Day IL (biceps), Derek Law: 15-Day IL (forearm), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
25 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Braves visit the Mets to begin 4-game series
Atlanta Braves (35-41, third in the NL East) vs. New York Mets (46-32, second in the NL East) New York; Monday, 7:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach (5-4, 3.26 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 92 strikeouts); Mets: Paul Blackburn (0-1, 6.92 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, eight strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Braves -130, Mets +110; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets open a four-game series at home against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. New York is 27-10 in home games and 46-32 overall. Mets hitters have a collective .326 on-base percentage, the seventh-best percentage in MLB play. Atlanta is 35-41 overall and 13-26 on the road. The Braves have the fourth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 3.68. The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has 22 doubles, a triple, 18 home runs and 64 RBIs while hitting .290 for the Mets. Brandon Nimmo is 14 for 39 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games. Matt Olson has 18 doubles and 15 home runs for the Braves. Ronald Acuna is 17 for 33 with three doubles and three home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mets: 2-8, .220 batting average, 5.95 ERA, outscored by 33 runs Braves: 7-3, .254 batting average, 3.13 ERA, outscored opponents by 19 runs INJURIES: Mets: Max Kranick: 15-Day IL (elbow), Tylor Megill: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kodai Senga: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Brooks Raley: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mark Vientos: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Jesse Winker: 10-Day IL (side), Danny Young: 60-Day IL (elbow), A.J. Minter: 60-Day IL (lat), Frankie Montas: 60-Day IL (lat), Sean Manaea: 60-Day IL (oblique), Jose Siri: 10-Day IL (shin), Nick Madrigal: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Drew Smith: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christian Scott: 60-Day IL (elbow) Braves: Chris Sale: 15-Day IL (rib), Daysbel Hernandez: 15-Day IL (arm), AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-Day IL (calf/elbow), Reynaldo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
