Well-rounded Braves rally past Cubs, move to MLB-best 30-13
ATLANTA — The Braves maintain discovering new methods to win.
It’s all added up to being the primary crew within the huge leagues to 30 victories.
The Braves improved MLB’s high document to 30-13 with one other thrilling win Wednesday night time, scoring three runs within the eighth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.
Mike Yastrzemski got here the bench to contribute a pinch-hit double that drove within the tiebreaking run, and jack-of-all-trades Mauricio Dubón adopted with a two-run homer into the Chicago bullpen that completed off the Cubs.
Throw in one other stout efficiency by the bullpen, which acquired one scoreless inning apiece from 4 relievers, and this crew is threatening to run away with the NL East earlier than the beginning of the summer season.
The Braves are up by 9 video games on second-place Washington and have a double-figure margin over everybody else within the division.
The final time they have been the primary MLB crew to attain 30 wins got here 23 years in the past, once they did it of their forty third sport.
“There’s no egos here,” mentioned Yastrzemski, who contributed his first homer of the season the earlier night time in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs. “Nobody feels like they own any piece of this team. We’re all pulling on the same rope together, the same direction. Whatever opportunities come for you that day, that’s good enough.”
Stars reminiscent of Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin, Chris Sale and Ozzie Albies are having huge years, and lesser-known gamers are additionally having a major influence.
That consists of Dubón, who was acquired from Houston over the winter for journeyman Nick Allen and has crammed in every time wanted.
Dubón began the season at shortstop whereas Ha-Seong Kim recovered from an harm however now could be largely enjoying the outfield, even taking the leadoff function within the lineup whereas former NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. is on the injured listing.
The clinching homer confirmed how a lot religion the Braves and their first-year supervisor, Walt Weiss, have of their utility ace.
“In years past for me, I would’ve gotten pinch hit right there and they wouldn’t let me hit,” Dubón mentioned. “But I ended up putting up a two-run homer. I think it’s that confidence he gives you when you’re playing.”
Dubón remains to be motivated by being picked within the twenty sixth spherical — the 773rd alternative — of the 2013 draft.
“I’m trying to prove people wrong,” he mentioned, breaking right into a glad smile. “I’ve been doing that for a while now.”
Weiss, who took over when longtime supervisor Brian Snitker retired after a disappointing 2025 marketing campaign, has the Braves solidly on observe for a return to the postseason.
He’s not wanting on the huge image by any stretch, however he can not help however be glad on the method his managerial tenure has began.
“I’m so thickened with the day-to-day,” Weiss mentioned. “You want to attack each day the best you can, and these guys are doing that. They confront every challenge that comes our way.”
Yastrzemski, like everybody else on the roster, is raring to step up every time wanted.
“Some days your role is going to be a cheerleader. Keep everyone in a good mood, pull for the guys, bring someone a water when they’re thirsty,” he mentioned. “Those things, it’s real. When you see that happening with other guys, you can’t help but do it yourself.”
Information from The Associated Press was used on this report.
