Monday night gave us a little bit of everything with the Atlanta Braves: fireworks, concern, and just enough hope to keep the faith alive in this young season.
Let’s start with the obvious: Marcell Ozuna is hurting, and that’s a problem. The man’s been carrying Atlanta’s offense like a duffel bag through airport security — with power, poise, and no apologies. Watching him limp around the bases on Sunday was about as comforting as a blown save in the ninth.
While the imaging only showed hip inflammation and he’s listed as “day-to-day,” let’s not pretend that isn’t a big deal. This lineup needs Ozuna. Without him, it’s like taking the batteries out of your smoke detector — it might still be there, but it’s not doing its job.
Stopgap DH Options Aren’t Inspiring Confidence
Monday’s win over the Blue Jays? A much-needed statement. Eight runs on the board, timely hitting, and a top of the order that looked alive for the first time in what feels like forever. But take a closer look, and you’ll see why the DH spot matters.
Bryan De La Cruz, tasked with stepping into Ozuna’s cleats, went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Not exactly lighting it up. The Braves could try Drake Baldwin next, especially with righty Kevin Gausman on the mound Tuesday. But Baldwin has been ice cold against lefties so far (.111 average over nine at-bats), and he hasn’t proven he’s ready to be “that guy” yet.
There’s even a whisper of bringing up Alex Verdugo, which sounds exciting until you realize that’s more of a contingency plan if things go south with Ozuna’s recovery. So, for now, it’s a patchwork job — a game of “who can give us something” until the lineup gets its punch back.
A Glimmer of Hope From the Braves Lineup
The good news? The Braves did look like a different team on Monday. Even without Ozuna in the heart of the lineup, the offense delivered. Austin Riley stepped up big time with two home runs. It wasn’t just about hits — it was about timing.
Runners were getting on, getting over, and, more importantly, getting in. That’s the kind of execution Atlanta’s been lacking all season. It’s encouraging, even if the box score doesn’t show a perfect game.
Time to Stack Wins, Not Just Stats
The real challenge now? Consistency. Atlanta has yet to win two games in a row all season — a stat that feels almost surreal considering the roster’s potential.
But that’s the reality, and Tuesday offers a shot to break that streak. Spencer Schwellenbach gets the ball opposite Kevin Gausman, and with Spencer Strider expected back on Wednesday, the Braves could be on the verge of putting some real momentum together.
Add in the potential return of Ronald Acuña Jr., and suddenly things don’t feel quite as bleak. There’s hope. But hope only matters if you turn it into wins. The Braves have the pieces — now it’s time to start putting the puzzle together. Starting tonight.
