Takeaways from Atlanta's series-clinching win against the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Braves fought past some bad batted ball luck to take the series finale from the Pirates on Sunday afternoon
Takeaways from Atlanta's series-clinching win against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Takeaways from Atlanta's series-clinching win against the Pittsburgh Pirates /

The Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon to take both this series and the season matchup. Here's our thoughts on the Braves victory. 

We don't like to talk about luck, but it plays a big part

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Braves hitters had eleven hard-hit balls (95 mph or greater) off of Pirates starter Luis Ortiz, including eight over 100 mph.

They got two total hits off of those eleven balls, both singles.

Meanwhile, Allan Winans allowed only six hard-hit balls, and four of them were hits, including two doubles and a triple.

Sometimes literally, the bounces don't go your way.

But Winans pitched well in an short-notice spot start

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Winans, who was called up this morning after Atlanta's original weekend plans were blown up by the Cardinals, went 6.1 innings with six hits but only two runs, walking none and striking out eight. 

Even though Atlanta's lost Michael Soroka for the rest of the season, Winans has shown he's more than capable of taking the ball every 5th day down the stretch (provided you don't ask him to face the same team two outings in a row - ask the Mets how that worked out)

Ronald delivered in the clutch

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Ronald victimized Pirates reliever Colin Selby, who came on to get the final out of the 7th inning. After walking Orlando Arcia and allowing a Michael Harris II single, Acuña came to the plate and ripped an absolute missile to center field at 110.1 mph, bouncing off the wall for the loudest single you've ever seen and scoring both runners to give Atlanta the lead.

That's what you expect to see from the National League MVP, and Ronald Acuña proved he's deserving of the award. 

What's next for the Braves? 

Atlanta's hopping on the jet and heading to Philly, where they've got four games in three days on the first leg of a two-city road trip that'll see them head to Miami after they wrap up with the Phillies. 

The two games tomorrow are at 1:05 PM ET and 6:40 PM ET, with both games being broadcast on Bally Sports South. Charlie Morton will start game one, while Spencer Strider, game two's planned starter, has been pushed back to Wednesday due to illness. 

Atlanta's magic number is now 7 to win the NL East, so the first date they could clinch is on Wednesday in their final game in Philadelphia. 

UPDATE: Miami held on to beat Philadelphia, meaning the magic number is now 6 and Atlanta could clinch as early as Tuesday. 


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Lindsay Crosby
LINDSAY CROSBY

Managing Editor for Braves Today and the 2023 IBWAA Prospects/Minors Writer of the Year. You can reach him at contact@bravestoday.com