You can't address everything in the next two days but having to turn to Sobotka there probably sums up your biggest need.
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) July 30, 2025
This tweet above pretty much sums what last night meant. Both on the small and large scale. The Braves are a very good team, yet also one with flaws. They can compete with anyone at any time, yet also can also go through stretches like they did against the Royals. They have have had very little success in two straight games against two quality arms, and yet still have a 4.5 game lead in the NL East.
The point is that, through all the ups and downs, perspective must be maintained. The Braves front office and coaching staff knows its strengths and weaknesses, and will address them to become better and more consistent. As for last night, a reliever who likely belongs in Triple-A threw a fastball right down the middle to one of the best hitters in the game with the bases loaded. The expected outcome occurred. No one should be surprised.
The reason being is that last night can easily be overcome and forgotten.
The Braves simply need to make sure the expected outcome occurs again.
That is what happens when you are a talented team plus you have a little luck break your way. At one time, it was thought the Braves would have to face Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Max Scherzer in this series. Fortunately, things played out to where they only had to face one, and Dallas Keuchel matched up against Corbin fairly well last night. A back injury has forced Scherzer to the 10-day IL, and in his place the Braves will instead be facing Erick Fedde. While Fedde has had a good year, he certainly is a preferred opponent over Mad Max.
Fedde (3.40 ERA, 5.12 FIP, 5.25 xFIP) has had a good season as a National. Though he has shifted between the majors and minors, he has registered a 3.40 ERA and 1.3 bWAR in 50 innings this season. He also has three straight starts in which he has allowed two runs or less. He produces ground balls at a 52% rate, and does not surrender a high amount of hard contact.
The key with Fedde for the Braves could be patience. In his last four starts in which he has thrown 80 or more pitches, Fedde has allowed 12 runs over 19.2 innings. He has allowed a .622 OPS on the first pitch. That OPS increases to .816 if the first pitch from Fedde is a ball. Fedde is likely to throw a lot of strikes, but he also gives up a good amount of contact. If the Braves can spoil some pitches and limit swings out of the zone, they can find some success against Fedde as his pitch count grows.
Speaking of throwing strikes consistently. that is exactly what Julio Teheran (3.42 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 5.12 xFIP) has been doing in the month of July. After ending June with three walks in each of his last four starts, Teheran has walked only five through his first four starts in July. He also has allowed only four extra base hits. His control is similar to what it was in May, and he has been a big reasons the Atlanta starters have improved since the All-Star Break.
The big key tonight for Teheran will simply be not getting in his own way. As mentioned above, the home run Anthony Rendon hit last night was expected. The walks to Yan Gomes and Adam Eaton were not, and were the reasons Rendon’s blast was so brutal to see. Overall, Atlanta walked 10 Washington hitters. Atlanta could use six or more innings from Teheran tonight so they can immediately get Newcomb or Jackson in the game to hopefully close out a win.
The Braves offense regained its success in Philadelphia. It needs for that trend to continue tonight. Ronald Acuna Jr.’s on-base streak ended last night, as he and Ozzie Albies were 0-8 at the top of the order. They must get back in the groove tonight. If they work some good at-bats against Fedde and get on base, the Braves chances to win increase significantly. Atlanta’s pitching was less than stellar in Philadelphia, but it almost went unnoticed with how well the offense produced.
Obviously, tomorrow has the potential to be quite an exciting day. And while the Braves franchise may very well acquire a needed player or two to improve the team, the coaching staff’s and players’ full focus must be on earning a needed win on the field.
A big thing that has helped Atlanta earn its 4.5 game lead is winning when it should. That is the case tonight. It is very likely that the Braves will be expected to win. The players simply need to play like they expect it as well.
WPA- Ronald Acuna Jr.- After his streak came to an end, Acuna Jr. likely will be ready to deliver as he has all year.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, July 30, 7:05 p.m. ET
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Rock 100.5, Braves Radio Network
Loading comments...