
The Braves closed out a grueling stretch of 17 games in 17 straight days on Sunday with a convincing win over the Boston Red Sox. The victory not only secured a series win but also pushed Atlanta back above the .500 mark for just the second time this season.
Despite the demanding schedule and no rest days for over two weeks, the Braves managed to come out with a solid 10-7 record, thanks in large part to a red-hot starting rotation. The group — Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Grant Holmes — combined for a stellar 2.70 ERA in May, and reinforcements are on the way with Spencer Strider nearing a return.
Although Tuesday’s starting pitcher is still officially listed as “TBA,” the recent demotion of Dylan Dodd hints that Strider could be making his second start of the season very soon. And he’s not the only key piece on the verge of rejoining the roster.
Ronald Acuña Jr., who took Sunday off after playing three consecutive games for Triple-A Gwinnett, is inching closer to activation. While he hasn’t yet played a full nine innings in the outfield — something manager Brian Snitker said needs to happen first — a return later this week is very much on the table. A Friday night comeback at Truist Park against the Padres seems like a strong possibility.
Meanwhile, Craig Kimbrel could also be making his way back to the big league bullpen. The veteran reliever has looked sharp in the minors, with his fastball consistently hitting the mid-90s and a 1.38 ERA along with 10.4 K/9 across 13.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. While the bullpen held its own during the 17-game gauntlet, there are still areas that Kimbrel could strengthen.
With key reinforcements looming, the Braves may be set to hit another gear just as summer heats up.
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