Braves Aim to Bounce Back After Opening Day Setback
Atlanta started strong in their season opener, but a faltering bullpen led to a disappointing loss. As they head into the first weekend of the season, the Braves are eager to turn things around. In their match against San Diego, Atlanta recorded seven hits, with no player achieving more than one hit in the game. Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley both hit their first home runs of the season, despite the Braves falling short. Chris Sale pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts, yet he did not earn a decision. Hector Neris (0-1) suffered the loss in relief, giving up three runs on three hits without recording an out.
Making his 2025 season debut, Spencer Schwellenbach will take the mound for the Braves. Schwellenbach had a promising rookie season, making 21 starts with a record of 8-7, a 3.35 ERA, and 127 strikeouts over 123.2 innings. During spring training, he showcased his skills with a 2-0 record and a 3.00 ERA over 21 innings. In his previous start against the Padres on July 12, 2024, Schwellenbach excelled, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on three hits, helping the Braves secure a 4-1 victory. This familiarity with Petco Park may serve him well in the upcoming game.
Padres Focused on Protecting Home Turf
The San Diego Padres displayed determination in their season opener, rallying to secure a victory against Atlanta. With an eye on defending their home field, the Padres hope to continue their winning ways at Petco Park. In their game against Atlanta, San Diego tallied 10 hits, with standout performances from Fernando Tatis Jr., who collected three hits, and Manny Machado, who contributed three runs and an RBI. Gavin Sheets hit his first home run, while Jackson Merrill drove in four runs. Michael King, despite a rocky outing of 2.2 innings, did not receive a decision. Wandy Peralta (1-0) earned the win after retiring the only batter he faced in the seventh inning, while Robert Suarez closed the game with a scoreless ninth to secure his first save of the season.
Randy Vasquez is set to make his first start of the season for the Padres. Last year, he made 20 starts, posting a record of 4-7 with a 4.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts over 98 innings. In spring training, he struggled slightly, finishing with a 0-1 record and a 3.38 ERA. This will mark Vasquez’s fourth career start against the Braves, where he holds an 0-3 record with a 4.40 ERA over 14.1 innings. At Petco Park, he has a 1-3 record with a 3.24 ERA across eight career starts.
Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres
In the season opener, the Padres showcased a strong bullpen, featuring 6.1 innings of relief where they allowed just one run on three hits. With Vasquez’s past difficulties against the Braves, the Padres may need to lean on their bullpen once again. Meanwhile, Schwellenbach’s strong performance in his previous outing against San Diego bodes well for Atlanta. The Braves also displayed their power with two home runs in the opener. It is reasonable to predict that Atlanta will secure a victory as Schwellenbach aims to stifle the Padres’ offensive efforts.
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