The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Atlanta Braves on April 25, with the first game of the series featuring an intriguing pitching matchup. The Diamondbacks are back home after a series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend.
As for Arizona’s opponent, things did not get off to a good start in Atlanta this season, with the Braves going winless through their first seven games and winning just five of their first 18. However, they have won five of their past six games, sweeping a series against the Minnesota Twins and taking two of three games from the St. Louis Cardinals.
Braves at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-3, 5.60) vs. Braves LHP Chris Sale (0-2, 6.17).
At Chase Field: Gallen struggled in Chicago last weekend, giving up six runs in the first two innings, though he did turn in four scoreless innings after that. … Gallen has only two quality starts through his first five outings. He has allowed 15 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings in his three losses. … In five career starts against the Braves, Gallen has a 3.19 ERA. … Sale battled injuries during a four-year stretch from 2020-2023, but he bounced back in a big way last year, posting a 2.38 ERA and winning the National League Cy Young Award. He has not been as sharp this year, however, having failed to get beyond five innings in any of his five starts. … His fastball has been getting torched this season, allowing an incredible .516 average and .839 slugging against. The velocity on the pitch (94.3 mph) is down only a half tick from last season (94.8 mph) … Sale faced the Diamondbacks twice last season and won both games, logging a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings.
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Coming up
Saturday, April 26: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-1, 4.73) vs. Braves RHP Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.22).
Sunday, April 27: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (4-1, 2.73) vs. Braves RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (1-1, 2.56).
Monday, April 28: Off.
Tuesday, April 29: At New York, 4:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-2, 4.40) vs. Mets LHP David Peterson (1-1, 3.29).
What to know about the Atlanta Braves
The Braves briefly welcomed back RHP Spencer Strider from elbow surgery, but he landed back on the injured list after just one start due to a hamstring strain. They are still awaiting the return of OF Ronald Acuna Jr., who is recovering from knee surgery. Several Braves hitters who started the year slowly have begun to heat up, including 1B Matt Olson, CF Michael Harris II and 3B Austin Riley, all of whom are hitting at least .333 in their past week of games. DH Marcell Ozuna is off to a great start, hitting .318/.500/.530 with four homers through 21 games. RHP Spencer Schwellenbach, whom the Diamondbacks will face on April 27, has turned in strong starts in four of his five outings this year.
