A pair of high-profile rookies will face one another on Tuesday when the Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals within the second recreation of a three-game collection.
The Braves (74-83) gained the opener 11-5 on Monday to increase their successful streak to 9 video games, the longest lively run within the majors.
The pitching matchup options Atlanta’s Hurston Waldrep (5-1, 3.04 ERA) towards Washington’s Brad Lord (5-8, 4.18), a pair of proficient right-handers. The identical two confronted off on Wednesday in Washington, and Waldrep led the Braves to a 9-4 win.
Waldrep, 23, has change into a mainstay of the rotation since he was recalled on Aug. 2 to make an emergency begin towards the Cincinnati Reds at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Waldrep pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run in reduction that day, and he subsequently turned an everyday starter. He has given up extra that two runs solely twice in 10 appearances (9 begins) — although these two instances had been in his newest two outings.
Towards the Nationals on Wednesday, Waldrep earned the victory after working 5 innings and permitting three runs on 5 hits with eight strikeouts and no walks.
“He was extra of only a thrower when he was up right here final yr,” Atlanta supervisor Brian Snitker mentioned. “He was simply form of launching the ball. Now he is refined his stuff and is utilizing completely different pitches.”
In two profession begins towards Washington (64-93), Waldrep is 1-1 with a ten.38 ERA. He allowed seven runs in 3 2/3 innings when he confronted the Nationals on June 9, 2024, in his main league debut.
“I believe he is made some mechanical changes,” Snitker mentioned. “He is simply extra mature, you recognize. He is a really proficient man, however they nonetheless need to pitch and get that have so as to study who they’re. I believe he is figuring that out.”
Lord has cut up time between the rotation and the bullpen, with 17 of his 46 appearances coming as a starter. He rejoined the rotation in late July and has since gone 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA in 11 begins. Over his previous three begins, he has allowed solely six runs in 17 innings (3.18 ERA).
“He is a canine on the market,” Washington proper fielder Dylan Crews mentioned. “He would not care who you might be. He’ll replenish the strike zone with all of his pitches. He is superior up there. He is bought that presence and that mentality that we’d like right here.”
Lord, 25, would change into the second Nationals rookie (because the franchise’s transfer to Washington in 2005) to work 120 innings and have an ERA beneath 4.00 if he works 5 2/3 scoreless innings. John Lannan had a 3.91 ERA in 2008.
“His fastball has bought a lot life that you simply wish to work in and get one other pitch or make that slider higher,” interim Washington supervisor Miguel Cairo mentioned. “However there’s not too many pitchers which have that life on the fastball.”
On Wednesday towards the Braves, Lord gave up two runs on six hits with one stroll and 4 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. In 4 appearances (one begin) towards Atlanta this season, he’s 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings.
Atlanta’s Ha-Seong Kim prolonged his hitting streak to 10 video games on Monday. He’s batting .309 (21-for-68) in 19 video games since becoming a member of the Braves.
The Braves will play the remainder of the season with out second baseman Ozzie Albies, who broke the hamate bone in his left wrist whereas fouling off a pitch on Monday. Albies broke the identical wrist final yr and missed two months of motion.
The group should determine within the offseason whether or not to select up Albies’ $7 million contract possibility for 2026 or pay him a $4 million buyout.
–Area Degree Media
