Braves at Diamondbacks
O/U 9 · RL Braves -1.5 · Chase Field
Braves ML-116
CONF 75%
WCashedFinal 2-0
The read
Chase Field plays host to a pivotal second game of this four-game set, following an absolute 17-2 demolition by Atlanta that left the Diamondbacks' pitching staff in a state of emergency. The Braves made history in the opener with every starter recording a hit, a run, and an RBI, but the most important stat from that blowout isn't on the scoreboard—it’s in the bullpen availability.
Atlanta enters tonight with a massive tactical advantage because Reynaldo López and Osvaldo Bido combined to pitch the entire nine innings yesterday. This means new manager Walt Weiss has his elite high-leverage trio of Raisel Iglesias, Tyler Kinley, and Robert Suarez completely rested and ready to go. On the other side, Arizona was forced to burn five pitchers and eventually used backup catcher James McCann to record the final three outs. While Eduardo Rodriguez looked sharp in his five-inning debut against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks' bridge to their backend is effectively non-existent right now. Rodriguez has to be nearly perfect to shield a relief corps that is both physically and mentally exhausted.
The Braves' lineup is currently a juggernaut specifically designed to punish left-handers like Rodriguez. Rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is rewriting the record books, having scored a run in each of his first seven career games while maintaining a massive 1.196 OPS. Supporting him are Mauricio Dubón and Ozzie Albies, both of whom have shown they can handle Rodriguez in limited samples. Arizona’s situational outlook is further clouded by the fresh injury to Jordan Lawlar, who is awaiting CT results on his hand, and the early-season slump of Nolan Arenado, who is hitting just .158. Grant Holmes only needs to be functional for five innings before handing the ball to the freshest bullpen in the league. Riding the historic momentum of the Braves at a near-pick'em price is the only move here.
Injuries noted
Diamondbacks: [NEW] Jordan Lawlar (Shortstop) — Wrist (Right): Lawlar (hand/wrist) underwent X-rays, which came back negative, after Thursday's 17-2 loss to Atlanta, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports. (Apr 3 — 0d ago) [KNOWN] Nabil Crismatt (Relief Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): Crismatt will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. (Feb 13 — 48d ago) [NEW] Merrill Kelly (Starting Pitcher) — Ribs (Left): Kelly (back) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Reno on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. (Apr 1 — 2d ago) [NEW] Pavin Smith (Left Fielder) — Elbow (Left): Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers. (Mar 30 — 3d ago) [KNOWN] Andrew Saalfrank (Relief Pitcher) — Shoulder (Left): Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports. (Feb 11 — 50d ago) [KNOWN] Tommy Henry (Starting Pitcher) — Elbow (Left): The Diamondbacks re-signed Henry (elbow) to a minor-league contract Monday. (Dec 3 — 120d ago) [NEW] Jeff Brigham (Relief Pitcher) — Undisclosed (Not Specified): The Cubs signed Brigham to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. (Mar 30 — 3d ago) Braves: [NEW] Chris Sale (Starting Pitcher) — Illness: Sale (illness) may not be in attendance for Monday night's contest against the Diamondbacks, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. (Apr 2 — 0d ago) [NEW] Spencer Strider (Starting Pitcher) — Oblique (Left): Strider (oblique) will throw a bullpen session in Phoenix on Friday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. (Apr 2 — 0d ago) [KNOWN] Joey Wentz (Relief Pitcher) — Knee (Right): Atlanta placed Wentz on the 60-day injured list Tuesday with a right ACL tear. (Mar 24 — 9d ago) [KNOWN] Spencer Schwellenbach (Starting Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): Atlanta announced that Schwellenbach underwent a procedure Wednesday to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. (Feb 18 — 43d ago)
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