The Atlanta Braves took on the Athletics today in the series finale as both staff aces took the mound. Both teams have struggled offensively to start the season, which may be shocking to some because both team’s lineups look solid on paper in comparison to the rest of the league.
The key to this game seemed to be if the heart of the Braves’ lineup can come through. Outside of Drake Baldwin, the rest of the top four have struggled to start the season. It looked like they may get the ball rolling in the first inning. The Braves showed patience with Ronald Acuña drawing a walk after an ABS challenge, Drake Baldwin walked, and Austin Riley walked. However, no runs were score and it was partly due to Acuña being picked off. The pickoffs have hurt the Braves multiple times this season already.
Olson and Yastrzemski both struck out, resulting in zero runs on three walks in the inning. The Braves kept putting runners on in the second inning to put the pressure on and finally produced some runs. Albies walked, Smith singled, and Acuña walked again. Harris struck out and Dubón popped out along the way, but with the bases loaded this time Drake Baldwin continued his clutch start to the season with a single to score two and put the Braves up 2-0. Olson struck out to end the inning, but it was clear that the Braves had Severino’s number today up to this point.
Severino had his revenge in the third inning by striking out the side, but that did not stop the Braves from continuing to put pressure on him. In the fourth inning Severino struck out Harris, but then gave up back-to-back singles to Smith and Dubón which led Elvis Alvarado relieving him. This strategy did not pay off. Acuña moved Smith over to third on a 103.4 MPH fly out and then Baldwin came through yet again with a two run double to make the score 4-1.
Olson finally got out of his slump and hit a single to knock in Baldwin for another run. Riley flied out, but the damage had been done. The only other offense from the Braves was a single by Riley, but the five runs were enough. The pitching yet again was the main story of the day.
Chris Sale looked to continue his scoreless streak as he just came off a six inning outing where he surrendered zero runs. He looked good today. One could argue that he looked even better than last game even though he gave up a run.
Sale sat down the first eleven hitters he faced picking up two strikeouts along the way until former Braves’ farm hand Shea Langeliers took him deep to left field in the fourth inning to make the score 2-1 Braves. Sale was not shaken and struck out Brent Rooker to end the top of the fourth. Sale ended up pitching six total innings and did not surrender another base runner.
A slightly developing story is that Chris Sale is inducing grounders at a career high rate. In his first game this season Sale induced a ground ball 53.8 percent of the time. His career average is only 42.7 percent. Today alone he induced seven ground balls today. Do we have an evolving Sale? All-in-all Sal had an excellent start.
Saurez, Lee, and Iglesias came in and finished the job allowing a combined two hits, and zero runs while striking out two and giving up zero walks. The bullpen has been lights out for the Braves so far this season.
This 5-1 win was much needed in a game that was important in a sense that it was a game that the Braves were supposed to win. With so many injuries, the Braves must win these types of games if they want to stay in contention.
The key takeaways are that Drake Baldwin continues to rake, pickoffs need to slow down, the offense plate discipline is looking nice with five walks, the bullpen is still lights out, and Chris Sale may be a groundball pitcher now.
Next game is 9:40 PM EDT against the Diamondbacks.
