A much needed win in Atlanta
The Braves just stopped the bleeding. After losing 10 of their last 16 games, Atlanta found a way to win a 4-3 game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night. It wasn’t a pretty way to play, but it worked. The big moment came in the eighth inning when Ozzie Albies hit a two-out single off Tanner Scott. That hit drove in Matt Olson, who had reached base on a leadoff double earlier in the same frame.
The game had some wild moments early on. Per MLB.com Braves, the Braves scored three runs in the first inning against Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow was making his first start since a back issue on May 5. There was even some bad luck for Atlanta. Edwin Jimenez, the home-plate umpire, called the pitch from Mike Yastrzemski a foul, although replays indicated the ball avoided the bat. That call kept an extra run from scoring in the first.
The pitching was also a mixed bag. Bryce Elder gave up eight singles and three runs during his six innings of work. On the bright side, Raisel Iglesias stayed clean in the ninth despite Shohei Ohtani hitting a leadoff triple. This win helps the Braves stay at least 3 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies in the NL East.
The fight for the top seed
Winning against a team like the Dodgers matters for more than just the standings. Both clubs want a first-round bye. This means being one of the two best teams in the league. Per MLB.com Braves, the Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows the stakes. We believe they are currently struggling a bit, yet we will face their strongest effort.
I don’t buy the idea that the Dodgers are just “scuffling.” They are a powerhouse. However, the Braves are also trying to find their footing. The team has been playing poorly lately, and the offense has struggled to produce. This win against a heavy hitter like Los Angeles is exactly the kind of spark the roster needs. It proves the Braves can still go toe-to-toe with the best in the National League when the pressure is on.
Looking ahead to the stretch run
The schedule is about to get much harder. The Braves have some easy games coming against the Rockies, Giants, and Nationals. But the real test is the 13 games that follow. They will face the Phillies, Rays, and Cubs. These are all teams in the hunt for a playoff spot. You can’t coast through that stretch and expect to stay on top of the division.
The Dodgers are also a threat. They are currently on a six-game winning streak and have some distance between their record and the Braves. If Atlanta wants to secure that bye, they can’t let the Dodgers run away with it.
