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Ronald Acuna Jr. Ronald Acuna Jr. Two more steals before early exit Sat, Sep 30, 2023, 10:33 AM Acuna went 1-for-2 with a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases before being replaced by Kevin Pillar in the third inning of Friday's 10-6 loss to the Nationals. Analysis: There were no injury concerns with the 25-year-old superstar; he simply got some extra rest with Atlanta having locked up the top seed in the National League playoffs. The steals were the 71st and 72nd of the season for Acuna, and he's now tied with Otis Nixon's 1991 campaign for the third-most in franchise history and the most in the modern era -- only King Kelly's 84 in 1887, and the original Billy Hamilton's 83 in 1896, rank ahead of him.
Allan Winans Allan Winans Escapes with no-decision Friday Sat, Sep 30, 2023, 10:27 AM Winans came away with a no-decision Friday as Atlanta was downed 10-6 by the Nationals, surrendering six runs on six hits -- including three home runs -- and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two. Analysis: The Nats clubbed five homers in total on the night, but Winans was responsible for the bulk of the barrage, serving up long balls to Carter Kieboom and Jake Alu in the fourth inning and Keibert Ruiz in the sixth. The 28-year-old right-hander had given up zero homers and only four runs in 11.1 innings over his prior two September starts, but Friday's poor effort might have been enough to get Atlanta to reconsider a potential role for Winans in the postseason rotation, even if Max Fried (finger) and Charlie Morton (finger) remain sidelined.
Bryce Elder Bryce Elder Won't start Sunday Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 4:44 PM Elder won't start as originally scheduled Sunday against Washington, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Analysis: With Elder having already thrown a career-high 180.2 innings this season, 21.2 IP more than he worked across all levels in 2022, Atlanta will skip his turn in the rotation ahead of the postseason. The 24-year-old has given up 13 runs in 12.1 innings over his last three starts, so perhaps the extended rest period will help him return to form in the NLDS. The team has not yet named a replacement starter for the final game of the regular season.
Michael Harris II Michael Harris II Sitting Friday Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 2:33 PM Harris isn't starting Friday against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Harris will get a breather Friday after Atlanta was able to clinch the best record in the majors with a win over the Cubs on Thursday. Forrest Wall is starting in center field and batting ninth.
Orlando Arcia Orlando Arcia Not starting Friday Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 2:31 PM Arcia isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday against Washington, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Atlanta was able to lock up home-field advantage throughout the postseason Thursday, so the team will give Arcia a day off Friday to keep him fresh for the NLDS. Nicky Lopez will start at shortstop and bat eighth while Arcia sits.
Sean Murphy Sean Murphy Sits down Friday Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 2:28 PM Murphy isn't in Atlanta's lineup Friday against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Analysis: Murphy will sit on the bench for the second straight game Friday while Travis d'Arnaud starts behind the plate and bats seventh. Murphy has recorded just one hit -- a home run -- in 20 at-bats over his last six games.
Allan Winans Allan Winans Picks up another start Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 12:15 PM Winans is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Nationals at Truist Park. Analysis: Max Fried (finger) and Charlie Morton (finger) are closing the regular season on the injured list, so Atlanta will at least temporarily have room in the rotation for Winans. In his return to the big leagues last weekend for a doubleheader in Washington, Winans took a loss in Game 1 of the twin bill while striking out six and giving up two earned runs over five innings. Through five starts with the big club this season, Winans owns a 1-2 record to go with a 4.33 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.
Austin Riley Austin Riley Tallies three hits in win Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 10:18 PM Riley went 3-for-4 with a triple, a double and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs. Analysis: Riley has logged four multi-hit efforts over his last eight games, going 12-for-30 (.400) in that span. The third baseman is up to a .282/.346/.519 slash line with 37 home runs, 96 RBI, 116 runs scored, 30 doubles, three triples and three stolen bases through 156 games this season. He continues to hit in the heart of the order in a near-everyday role.
Matt Olson Matt Olson Goes yard in Thursday's win Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 10:15 PM Olson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs. Analysis: Olson put Atlanta ahead in the first inning with his blast. He's up to 54 homers this year, 11 of which have come in September, a month in which he's batting .343 with 24 RBI over 26 games. For the year, the first baseman has a .281/.387/.605 slash line with 136 RBI, 126 runs scored and one stolen base through 159 contests. If he remains in the lineup each day for the three-game series versus the Nationals, he'll achieve his fourth campaign of playing in every contest.
Raisel Iglesias Raisel Iglesias Converts 32nd save Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 10:01 PM Iglesias struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs. Analysis: Iglesias has earned three saves over his last five outings while allowing one run in five innings in that span. He's settled down again after a shaky early half of September. The closer is up to 32 saves in 36 chances while maintaining a 2.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 67:15 K:BB through 54.2 innings this season.
AJ Smith-Shawver AJ Smith-Shawver Solid in short start Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 9:59 PM Smith-Shawver allowed one run on one walk and struck out two over 3.2 hitless innings in a no-decision versus the Cubs. Analysis: Smith-Shawver was piggybacked by Kyle Wright. The only run Smith-Shawver allowed came in the first inning as the Cubs were able to scrape together a scoring play with small ball. The 20-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.26 with a 1.11 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB over 25.1 innings across six big-league outings (five starts). He could be sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett if Atlanta wants to replenish its pitching depth for this weekend's series against the Nationals.
Sean Murphy Sean Murphy Gets breather Thursday Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 2:24 PM Murphy is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs. Analysis: Murphy continues to get regular days off as the NL East champs look ahead to the postseason. Travis d'Arnaud is starting at catcher and batting seventh for Atlanta on Thursday.
Darius Vines Darius Vines Sent back to minors Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 8:23 AM Vines was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. Analysis: The move comes one day after Vines held the Cubs to two runs over six innings in a no-decision Wednesday. He's being sent out in favor of AJ Smith-Shawver, who is starting Thursday's contest. Vines has made a nice first impression in the big leagues in 2023, holding a 3.98 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB over 20.1 frames.
AJ Smith-Shawver AJ Smith-Shawver Summoned for Thursday's start Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 8:19 AM Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. Analysis: Smith-Shawver will get a start Thursday against the Cubs as Atlanta goes for the sweep. The 20-year-old right-hander holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues. He could be sent back to the minors immediately after Thursday's outing.
Ozzie Albies Ozzie Albies Three hits, homer in win Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 11:19 PM Albies went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 victory over the Cubs. Analysis: Albies got Atlanta on the board with a solo home run in the first inning off Jameson Taillon, his 33rd of the year. The 26-year-old second baseman has been on a tear, hitting safely in 13 of his last 14 games, going 24-for-59 (.407) with four home runs in that span. Overall, Albies is batting .278 with an .845 OPS, 107 RBI, 92 runs scored and 13 stolen bases across 640 plate appearances this season.
AJ Smith-Shawver AJ Smith-Shawver Will start Thursday Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 9:46 PM Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday against the Cubs, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Thursday's start will be Smith-Shawver's first appearance in the majors since late July, when he surrendered three runs over five innings against the Brewers. On the season, he holds a 4.57 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 21.2 innings in the big leagues, and he will likely return to Triple-A immediately after making his start.
Darius Vines Darius Vines Gets starting nod Wednesday Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 11:06 AM Vines is listed as Atlanta's probable starter pitcher for Wednesday's home game against the Cubs. Analysis: Atlanta's rotation depth has been tested in the final week of the season with Max Fried (finger) and Charlie Morton (finger) recently landing on the injured list and with Kyle Wright getting moved to the bullpen, so Vines will get the chance to make his second career big-league start. Since limiting the Rockies to two runs over six innings in his MLB debut Aug. 30, Vines has made his last three appearances with Atlanta as a reliever, pitching to a 5.40 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 4:4 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Though his long-term outlook is promising, Vines may not make for an appealing streaming option Wednesday, given that his innings could be managed carefully along with the fact that he'll be facing off against a Cubs squad that is still looking to clinch a wild-card spot.
Raisel Iglesias Raisel Iglesias Notches 31st save Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 9:43 AM Iglesias picked up the save Tuesday against the Cubs. He allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning. Analysis: Iglesias worked around Cody Bellinger's one-out single, striking out Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson to close out a one-run victory. The 33-year-old Iglesias had a shaky start to the month, allowing seven runs (four earned) while blowing a pair of saves in his prior eight appearances. Still, he's had a solid campaign overall, as Iglesias improved to 31-for-35 in save chances with a 2.85 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 66 strikeouts over 53.2 innings.
Bryce Elder Bryce Elder Hit hard again Tuesday Tue, Sep 26, 2023, 10:21 PM Elder did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.2 innings against the Cubs. He struck out two. Analysis: Elder's rough stretch continued against the Cubs -- he's now allowed 13 runs in his last three starts (12.1 innings) while failing to make it through four innings in his last two outings, issuing nine walks in that span (7.1 innings). Overall, Elder's ERA is up to 3.81 with a 1.28 WHIP and 128:63 K:BB across 31 starts (174.2) innings this season. He'll look to bounce back and end his year on a high note as Elder's currently lined up to face the Nationals in Atlanta's final regular season game this weekend.
Eddie Rosario Eddie Rosario Sitting against lefty Tue, Sep 26, 2023, 12:40 PM Rosario is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs. Analysis: Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat ninth as the NL East champions take on southpaw Justin Steele. Rosario has drawn only 63 plate appearances versus lefties this year, compared to his 431 plate appearances versus righties.