Braves Briefing: Atlanta goes 5-1 on road trip, Max Scherzer gets ejected for Mets

Here's a look around MLB from an Atlanta Braves perspective

The Atlanta Braves saw their win streak end at eight after a close 1-0 loss to San Diego on Wednesday afternoon. Charlie Morton pitched well, but one unlucky pitch to Juan Soto, deposited into the right-center seats, ended up being the difference in this one as the Braves were shut out for the first time all year. 

Despite the shutout, Atlanta's offense continues to rank amongst the best in baseball

Individual Braves are littered across the MLB leaderboards - Ronald Acuña Jr is tied for the MLB lead in runs scored, with 18, and is second in hits with 29. Matt Olson is 2nd in baseball in total bases, with 46, and 2nd in RBIs with 20. The team collective slash line of .263/.345/.443 is good for 5h in on-base percentage and sixth in batting average and slugging. Atlanta's 27 home runs tie them for fourth in baseball with the New York Yankees. 

Max Scherzer got ejected from yesterday's Mets game

Ace Max Scherzer, one of the most ardent opponents of some of the new rule changes, was ejected in the fourth inning after a routine check by umpire Phil Cuzzi determined that he had violated the league's rules on "sticky" substances. 

Max Scherzer has been ejected from today's game for using an illegal foreign substance on his glove

(via @SNYtv)pic.twitter.com/zjPSL2RJcf

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 19, 2023

Scherzer, who ardently disavowed using additional grip-enhancing measures when the crackdowns were first instituted in 2021, spoke after the game and insisted that his hands had only sweat and rosin, which is allowed (and provided) by the league for pitchers to enhance their grip. 

If the league determines that this was an intentional violation of the new rules on sticky substances, it's an automatic ten-game suspension for Scherzer, which will undoubtedly be appealed. 

NL East Standings 

Team	Record	GB	Action Today
Atlanta	14-5	--	OFF
New York Mets	12-7	2.0	@ Giants
Miami Marlins	10-9	4.0	OFF
Philadelphia Phillies	8-11	6.0	vs Rockies
Washington Nationals	5-13	8.5	OFF

We Wrote It

Last night was a rare off night for the top of the Braves lineup, which had been the catalyst for the eight-game win streak. Braves Today's Andrew Stefaniak explained just how rough the outing was:

When you see that the Braves eight and nine-hole hitters were on base multiple times, that makes you wonder how the Braves were shut out. Well, that has to do with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Austin Riley combining to go 1-10 in this ball game. The one hit came in the first inning from Acuña Jr., so there was no one on base. In baseball, you go the way of your stars, and in this game, they didn't drive in any runs leading to the winning streak being snapped. 

Watch the Atlanta Braves highlights

Enjoy the off day!

The Atlanta Braves get to enjoy the off day and rest before heading into the weekend. Atlanta's got five consecutive series coming up with no off day, including a seven game home stand against the Houston Astros (3) and Miami Marlins (4) before heading to New York to face the Mets for three, Miami to play the Marlins three more times, and closing with three at home versus Baltimore.  

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