If you’re a Braves fan right now, you must feel pretty good—and maybe a little bit nervous. Coming off an electric homestand, Atlanta packed their bags, headed west, and didn’t miss a beat, taking two of three from the Diamondbacks.
Let’s be real: winning a series where you gave up four bombs to one guy (Eugenio Suarez, take a bow) isn’t exactly textbook dominance. But hey, a series win is a series win, and that’s what matters, right?
Now, the Braves are cruising into Colorado, and Coors Field is no joke. Games there can turn wild faster than you can say, “elevation sickness,” so Atlanta had better bring their A-game even if, on paper, it looks like smooth sailing.
AJ Smith-Shawver Poised to Rejoin the Braves Rotation
The Braves rotation is about to get a little jolt. Fans had plenty of questions after Ian Anderson was snatched up over the weekend—was he going back to the starting rotation?
It turns out that Atlanta’s keeping him in the bullpen for now because he’s just not stretched out enough after his time with the Angels. Instead, get ready for the return of AJ Smith-Shawver, who many thought never should’ve been sent down in the first place.
Word around the team is that AJSS will get the ball on Tuesday. And listen, Bryce Elder’s been serviceable, but if you’re looking for sizzle and steak, Smith-Shawver’s the guy you want in there lighting up the radar gun.
Ozzie Albies’ Struggles With Runners in Scoring Position
Now, not everything is sunshine and fastballs for Atlanta. Ozzie Albies, one of the team’s most reliable bats in years past, is really scuffling, especially when it matters most.
His .644 OPS over 27 games isn’t gonna cut it. When you zoom in on his performance with two outs and runners in scoring position—he’s just 2-for-16. It’s the kind of stat line that makes managers start nervously chewing gum, and fans start asking about lineup changes.
Moving Albies down in the order might help. But, the ripple effects could be a real headache for the Braves matchup strategies.
EJ Exposito Gives Braves Fans a Reason to Smile
And before we wrap this up—how about a feel-good story from the minors? EJ Exposito, a name most fans probably have to Google, just hit the cycle for Rome. That’s Rome’s first cycle since 2014!
Sure, Exposito’s not exactly a top prospect, but at 23 and playing solid ball to start 2025, don’t count him out. Baseball’s a crazy game; sometimes, all it takes is one spark. Exposito just might be lighting his fuse.
