Sept. 17 – The Atlanta Braves will continue their quest for the final National League wild card spot in a three-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.
By winning the first three games of the six-game season series between the two teams, Cincinnati has Atlanta’s number in 2024. The Warriors (81-69) must win their next three games to avoid losing a season series with the Reds for the first time since 2019.
The Braves entered Tuesday’s game one game behind the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot after a 9-0 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
To make the story worse, the Reds (73-78) will make their final start of the season by sending lefty Brandon Williamson (0-0, 2.08 ERA) to the mound in the series opener at home field. Williamson will make his fourth appearance (third start) this year.
In his most recent outing, Williamson earned a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits over five innings.
Williamson is one of several young Reds pitchers trying to show the front office and the franchise that they can play a key role in making Cincinnati a contender in 2025.
Injuries to right-handers Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft led to the addition of Williamson, Rhett Lauder and Julian Aguiar, and left-handers Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott. Nick Martinez and veteran Jakob Junis joined the ranks to help Reds head coach David Bell build a rotation to finish out the season.
“He does that with his fastball and his cutter,” Bell said of Williamson. “We know he’ll be good. He’s got a chance to show that. He did that last year and it’s great to have him back on the field.”
Williamson will make his professional debut against Atlanta.
The Braves plan to counter with rookie right-hander Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.79 ERA), who will make his fifth start of the year and first since Aug. 14. He has pitched eight times out of the bullpen.
Holmes went scoreless in 1 1/3 innings against the Reds on September 9. The only other team he faced was against Cincinnati on July 24, when he allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings of relief.
The Warriors could get a boost in the final two weeks of the season as they look to make the playoffs.
Second baseman Ozzie Albies is scheduled to begin rehabilitation with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, according to Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.
Albies hasn’t played a game since July 21, when he broke his left wrist trying to throw out a runner. He could return for Miami’s weekend series against the Marlins after the Braves finish in Cincinnati.
“I think we’ll see how he feels day by day,” Snitker said. “He’s scheduled to play in Game 2 (Tuesday’s minor league game) and on Wednesday. If all goes well, I think he could join us in Miami.”
Albies, a switch-hitter, told reporters that he still experiences pain in his left-handed swing, so he will only hit as a right-handed hitter when he returns to the lineup.
–Visual-level media
