As the Atlanta Braves prepare to host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday for the second contest of a three-game series, it appears like their slugging first baseman Matt Olson is returning to form.
Olson endured a 12-game stretch that saw him go 6-for-46 with one homer. Things have turned around over the last five games. Olson had two hits in the series opener on Monday and is 7-for-22 (.318) with two homers, and upped his RBI total to 46, tied for third best in the National League.
“There was a week or so, but that happens to everybody,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “And the good ones, it’s only a week. The average Joes, it’s a month where they might struggle. I always talk about Matt being rock solid in every way. He’s just so reliable, he performs, he plays defense, he just does it all.”
Olson also plays every day. He has played in 844 consecutive games, the longest active streak in baseball. Since joining the Braves in 2022, he has played in each of the club’s 708 regular-season games.
The pitching matchup for Wednesday features Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes (3-2, 3.95 ERA) against Toronto left-hander Patrick Corbin (2-1, 3.65). The latter will try to end Toronto’s three-game losing streak.
Corbin has been a pleasant surprise. Signed as a free agent on April 3 as an emergency measure, the left-hander has delivered more than expected. Corbin has worked between four and six innings in each of his 10 starts, allowed two or fewer runs in seven appearances and given up no more than four runs.
In his last start against Baltimore on Thursday, Corbin pitched five innings and allowed one run on four hits, with the run scoring on a solo homer. He did not get the decision in a 2-1 victory.
He has faced the Braves 23 times, 21 as a starter, going 6-12 with a 4.55 ERA. He has not defeated Atlanta since 2019, losing 11 straight decisions to the Braves. Corbin has not faced Atlanta since 2023.
Holmes left after 4 2/3 innings in his last start on Friday at Cincinnati. He yielded three runs on seven hits and one walk but allowed two homers. Over the last two games, he’s given up four long balls and has surrendered 11 this season in 57 innings.
Holmes has made two career appearances (one start) against Toronto, going 1-0 with a 6.48 ERA. Last season, he went 7 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on two hits for the 8-4 win.
The Blue Jays played without outfielder Jesus Sanchez on Tuesday. His wrist was still sore after being hit by a ball that was thrown from the stands, although he was called on to pinch hit in the ninth inning.
Toronto is close to restoring order to its starting rotation. Right-handers Max Scherzer (forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation) and Dylan Cease (left hamstring strain) both threw bullpen sessions on Tuesday. Scherzer is expected to make a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, with Cease possibly making a rehab start, too.
“Could be one-and-done there and be back with us,” Toronto manager John Schneider said.
Schneider said righty Yimi Garcia (elbow ulnar nerve and AC joint surgery) is pitching at Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday, where Alejandro Kirk (left thumb fracture) is acting as a designated hitter and will be catching soon.
–Field Level Media
