The Atlanta Braves picked up a pivotal sweep of the New York Mets Thursday night. Winning the three-game series also marked their third consecutive series win since dropping six straight—a stretch that felt like rock bottom.
But after three straight wins over the NL East leaders, Atlanta seems to be climbing, not coasting. And in the spirit of all things three, here are three fresh takeaways from a week that might just have shifted the Braves’ season.
Ozuna Delivers When It Counts Most
Marcell Ozuna hasn’t been lighting up the stat sheet lately. Coming into the Mets series, he was hitting .157 for the month of June, and the Braves offense mirrored his struggles, limping to a 4-9 record during that slump. But Tuesday night reminded everyone why he’s still one of Atlanta’s most dangerous weapons—because Ozuna knows how to answer when the moment is loud.
Down 4-1 in the eighth inning of the series opener, with the bases loaded and the crowd holding its breath, Ozuna ripped a double down the left-field line to tie the game. That swing didn’t just erase a deficit, it flipped the momentum for the entire series. Atlanta went on to win in extras and never looked back.
The Braves don’t need Ozuna to be perfect. They just need moments like that. Big-game swings. Clutch barrels. That’s what made him essential during their 2023 run, and if he finds his rhythm again, this team becomes exponentially more dangerous.
Olson Is Turning Contact Into Chaos
Matt Olson isn’t waiting for a second-half breakout—he’s already mid-surge. His line against the Mets was a scorcher: .455 batting average, .571 on-base, and nearly a .910 slugging percentage. That includes a massive bases-clearing double on Thursday that all but sealed the sweep.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t a blip. Olson has been quietly hot for weeks. Over his last 20 games, he’s hitting over .310 with a ton of extra-base hits and nearly 20 RBIs. The long balls aren’t flying out at his 2023 pace, but the quality of his contact is unmistakable. He’s seeing the ball well, the timing is crisp, and when he connects, it’s damage.
Olson doesn’t have to chase the homer crown to be elite. Right now, he’s anchoring the lineup with mature, powerful at-bats that win games—and those are the kinds of at-bats the Braves need in bulk.
Braves Starters Continue to Set the Standard
When Atlanta needed something stable this year, the rotation answered the call. The sweep of the Mets was just another reminder that the Braves starters remain the backbone of this club.
Chris Sale came within one out of a shutout. Spencer Strider gave six composed, one-run innings. And Spencer Schwellenbach? He rebounded from early command issues to pitch seven efficient frames.
This is what elite rotations do—they neutralize lineups, give the bullpen breathing room, and create momentum. Snitker said it after the sweep: “It’s where it all starts.” And he’s right. When your starters are this reliable, the offense doesn’t need to be perfect, just timely. The bullpen doesn’t need to be overused; it’s just ready.
Atlanta built its 100-win teams on the back of strong starting pitching, and despite the midseason turbulence, the formula hasn’t changed. The Braves will be in every series they play as long as the arms keep setting the tone.
Still Plenty Of Work To Do in Atlanta
The Braves aren’t back to where they want to be just yet—but the sweep of the Mets shows they’re back to looking like themselves. The energy, the urgency, the execution—it’s all starting to come together. If they keep getting these kinds of performances from their stars, rotation, and role players in big moments? The rest of the NL better be paying attention.
