The Braves urgently need a strong start from Spencer Schwellenbach to bolster their playoff chances. What is certain for Atlanta is that if they make the playoffs, they’ll face the Padres in the NL Wild Card round. Due to tiebreakers over the Mets and Diamondbacks, the Braves are locked into the fifth seed if they make it at all. However, much remains uncertain, and not all potential outcomes are favorable.
For the first game of their critical doubleheader against the Mets, Schwellenbach will take the mound. This is promising, as he has been one of Atlanta’s top pitchers in the second half of the season and has performed particularly well against strong teams, especially the Mets in 2024. A solid outing from him could be the key to making a potential playoff berth meaningful for the Braves.
Spencer Schwellenbach
Winning the opener is vital for the Braves’ playoff hopes. While a split would still secure their spot, losing the first game could disrupt their rotation, making it much harder to advance past the Wild Card round. Ideally, Atlanta wants to avoid using Chris Sale in the doubleheader, saving him for Game 1 of the playoffs. But if Schwellenbach struggles and the Braves lose, Sale may need to pitch to prevent elimination. This would complicate their postseason strategy, as Max Fried would likely need to start on short rest against San Diego—a situation he hasn’t thrived in historically.
In short, a strong performance from Schwellenbach is critical, as it could dictate the Braves’ postseason success. If he falters, Atlanta might find themselves in a tough spot even if they manage to split the doubleheader.
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