By: Marcus A. Gonzalez
The Arizona Diamondbacks (29-31) kicked off their series against the Atlanta Braves (27-32) at Truist Park in Atlanta winning Game 1 8-3.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-backs enter this series trying to snap a five-game road losing streak. Despite a rough patch (2–8 in their last 10), they’ve shown flashes of offensive power, especially when they keep the ball in the park. Eugenio Suárez leads the team with 16 home runs and a .509 slugging percentage, while Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been hot lately, batting .359 over his last 10 games.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have also struggled recently, going 3–7 in their last 10, but they’ve been solid at home (17–11). Their pitching staff boasts a 3.66 ERA, ranking 10th in MLB. Offensively, Matt Olson (12 HR) and Marcell Ozuna (.284 AVG) are key threats. Ozuna, in particular, has been heating up with a .333 average over his last five games.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Matchups to Watch
- Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Arizona Pitching: Acuña remains a dynamic force at the top of Atlanta’s lineup.
- Eugenio Suárez vs. Braves Starters: Suárez’s power could be a game-changer if he connects early.
- Bullpen Battle: Both teams have had shaky relief outings recently, so late-inning execution could decide games.
The series could go either way, as both teams look to rebound from recent slumps. The Braves have the slight edge at home with better pitching, but the offense of the Diamondbacks can break out at any given time. Expect the competitiveness to break out in the later innings of this three-game series.
