The Atlanta Braves won’t be able to replace the performances of ace right-hander Spencer Strider, whose season-ending elbow surgery has left a gaping hole atop their rotation.
However, what Atlanta remains hopeful of accomplishing is putting together the right combination of pitchers on a given night capable of complementing its prolific offense.
In the opener of a three-game road series with the Houston Astros on Monday, the Braves did exactly that.
Right-hander Darius Vines pitched effectively into the fifth inning, with relievers Aaron Bummer, Pierce Johnson, A.J. Minter and Jesse Chavez combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the Braves’ 6-1 win on Monday. The bullpen effort was especially significant as the Braves continue their search for a fifth starter with Strider sidelined.
Bummer, Johnson and Minter were summoned with runners on base, and each departed with a clean pitching line, preserving a one-run lead until the Braves tallied four runs in the top of the ninth against Astros closer Josh Hader.
“The bullpen came in and did what we needed to do,” Minter said. “Overall just a really good win.”
Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (1-0, 0.75 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Braves on Tuesday. He has reclaimed a starting role after making 68 relief appearances with three teams — the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians — last season and just one start across 61 appearances with the White Sox in 2022. In two starts this year, Lopez has 11 strikeouts in 12 innings.
Lopez is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 11 career appearances (two starts) against the Astros. He made six relief appearances against Houston last season, producing a 6.00 ERA and one save.
Right-hander Hunter Brown (0-2, 16.43 ERA) has the starting assignment for Houston. He has scuffled of late, going 0-2 as he allowed 14 runs on 19 hits and five walks while recording only 11 outs. His outing against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday was the shortest start of his career — he got only two outs — and marked his career high for runs (nine) and hits (11) allowed.
Brown faced the Braves on April 21, 2023, and notched a no-decision after allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in the Astros’ 6-4 road victory.
The Astros got a second look at rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti on Monday, and this start was markedly better than his big league debut last Wednesday. While Arrighetti labored in the second inning, throwing 31 pitches with two outs, he limited the damage in that frame to a pair of runs and completed four innings of work.
Arrighetti allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings against the Royals. With veterans Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez trending toward a return to the rotation before the end of this month, Arrighetti might not have many more immediate opportunities to prove himself in the majors. Thus far, he hasn’t shied from the challenge.
“He’s not fazed by it, either,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s got that presence about him and the stuff is good. The stuff plays. Moving forward I think he’s going to have some success once he adjusts and gets used to the league. But definitely, the stuff is going to play.”
