So, Tuesday night didn’t quite go how the Atlanta Braves drew it up. Coming off a dominant Game 1 win against the Toronto Blue Jays, there was plenty of momentum and optimism in the air.
Spencer Schwellenbach, the rookie right-hander with an early-season sparkle, took the mound looking to lock down another series win. But instead of fireworks, it was more of a fizzle—Schwellenbach took his first real lumps of the season, and Kevin Gausman held the Braves bats in check. Final score: 6-3, Jays.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a letdown. But if you’re already reaching for the panic button, let’s take a deep breath. There’s a silver lining—or maybe a few—just around the corner.
Strider is Back, and That’s a Big Deal
The biggest buzz around the clubhouse right now is Spencer Strider. After an extended IL stint following a bizarre elbow issue, Strider’s ramping up for his return—and folks, it might happen today.
He’s been electric in his rehab appearances and looks every bit like the strikeout machine we’ve come to expect. When Strider’s healthy, he’s a game-changer. If Atlanta wants to stabilize this rotation and reassert dominance in the NL East, this is the kind of boost you dream about.
But here’s the thing—Strider’s return means someone’s gotta go. Early betting odds are on Zach Thompson heading back down, especially after throwing multiple innings Tuesday.
But Bryce Elder’s name has been floating around, too, which suggests the Braves might be considering a long-term rotation strategy rather than just a temporary Band-Aid.
Ronald Acuña Jr.: Cleared for Takeoff With the Braves
This is the update Braves Country has been anxiously waiting for. Ronald Acuña Jr., the face of the franchise, just cleared a major hurdle in his recovery. After passing every rehab test thrown his way, he’s officially been greenlit to ramp up baseball activities.
Let’s not gloss over how big that is. We’re talking about a guy coming off his second major knee surgery, and the word is he’s been crushing baseballs during his workouts.
Assuming all goes to plan, he’ll do some on-field drills, head out for a minor league rehab stint, and get back with the big club by mid-May. If you’re looking for a jolt of optimism, that’s it.
Austin Riley: Quietly Going Nuclear
While most of the Braves offense has been snoozing through April, Austin Riley woke up and chose violence. Riley’s turned into a one-man wrecking crew after a brutal start to the season (we’re talking .091 on April 1).
Since April 2, he’s slashing .396/.420/.708 with four bombs in 50 plate appearances. He’s logging multi-hit games like it’s a hobby—seven in his last eight.
The offense might finally start clicking if the rest of the lineup can catch whatever fire Riley’s cooking with.
The Braves Bottom Line
Tuesday’s loss stung, no doubt. With Spencer Strider potentially taking the mound today, Acuña ramping up, and Riley rediscovering his All-Star swing, there’s a storm of good news rolling in for the Braves.
The season’s still young, and the cavalry is coming. Don’t blink now—this team might just be warming up.
