Austin Riley and Matt Olson went back-to-back with homers, which was pretty sweet!
In what is a mildly inconsequential reassurance that 2024 was likely a mirage, the Atlanta Braves got off to a scorching start in this one with Austin Riley and Matt Olson going back-to-back in the bottom of the first, and then Jurickson Profar, Riley, and Garrett Cooper adding some absolutely hammered doubles in the bottom of the third to make it 4-0. Profar, dare I say it, looks really good at the plate.
Jarred Kelenic also took some good swings in this one. His earlier plate appearances didn’t have anything to show for it, but he added a home run late that continued to cement the early success he’s had this Spring (.250/.333/.625 coming into the day). I know. I know. Spring Training. But it’s at least something to feel good about.
On the flip side of that, Reynaldo Lopez had a rough appearance, needing 44 pitches to not even make it through 2 innings, walking 2, and allowing a stolen base. Lopez was one of the pleasant surprises in 2024, but today wasn’t his day, which well … that goes back to my “mildly inconsequential” phrase up top. Today’s start doesn’t mean much there.
To be fair, Marcus Stroman looked no better, and really neither did the Yankees defense since their miserable World Series appearance a few months ago, with Stroman missing a pop-up and a later error.
Spencer Schwellenbach, however, looked much better than the other two. He was efficient, got groundballs, and altogether looked much like the guy who gave the Braves a significant rotation boost last season when they needed it. It was a productive appearance, though I’m mildly concerned that he seemingly had no idea what was going to happen at his own wedding.
Daysbel Hernandez added a very nice appearance, clearing out all three hitters with bad contact and two strikeouts. It’s hard to feel too good about a late appearance in a Spring game, but again, he did exactly what you’d expect with those hitters.
Allan Winans, former Atlanta Brave, also looked pretty good carving up Atlanta hitters through three innings. I’m not terribly concerned about losing him, but it was a notable appearance from a former friend.
Things got a lot worse for the Yankees after he left, surrendering 7 more runs on their way to a 11-1 drubbing, including a home run from Charles *checks notes* LeBlanc.
Atlanta heads off to face the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 PM EST tomorrow.
Items of note:
- Fred McGriff looks old, which I just refuse to accept.
- Christian Cairo replaced Nick Allen, and he somehow looked smaller than Allen, which I also refuse to accept.