Houston Astros Face Atlanta Braves in Cobb County Series Preview
The Houston Astros, struggling on their current road trip, look to turn things around against the Atlanta Braves in a series in Cobb County. After dropping their first two series, Houston hopes for a positive outcome against a Braves team facing their own challenges in the 2025 season.
Braves Season Overview
The Atlanta Braves stand at 65-81, fourth in the NL East, 21.0 games back, and 11.0 games back of the last NL Wild Card spot. Their home record is 35-37, mirroring the Astros' road record of 36-36. Against the AL West, the Braves are 3-9, while the Astros are 9-3 against the NL East. In their last 10 games, both teams are 4-6.
After a disappointing 2024 season and aspirations for a second World Series title in the 2020s, the 2025 season started poorly for Atlanta. While briefly above .500, injuries and underperformance led to a significant decline, resulting in the team selling at the trade deadline and focusing on a potential rebound in 2026.
Braves Key Players and Stats
Matt Olsen leads the Braves in several offensive categories, including home runs (23), RBIs (83), batting average (.271), and OPS (.831). Although Ronald Acuña has a higher OPS (.880), he is ineligible for the batting title due to games played.
On the pitching side, the Braves lack pitchers eligible for the ERA title. Relief pitcher Pierce Johnson holds a 2.35 ERA, and reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale has a 2.52 ERA. Bryce Elder leads in wins (7), and Raisel Iglesias leads in saves (25) and WHIP (1.04), shared with Dylan Lee.
Projected Pitching Matchups
- Friday, September 12 @ 6:15 p.m. CDT: TBD vs. Hurston Waldrep (4-0, 1.33 ERA)
- Saturday, September 13 @ 6:15 p.m. CDT: Hunter Brown (11-7, 2.25 ERA) vs. Bryce Elder (7-9, 5.35 ERA)
- Saturday, September 13 @ 6:15 p.m. CDT: Framber Valdez (12-9, 3.42 ERA) vs Joey Wentz (5-6, 5.82 ERA)
Braves Starting Lineup
The Braves are settling into what may be the regular lineup for the rest of the season:
| Position | Player | BA/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|
| C | Drake Baldwin | .270/.340/.438 |
| 1B | Matt Olsen | .271/.368/.463 |
| 2B | Ozzie Albies | .241/.306/.371 |
| 3B | Nacho Alvarez | .248/.321/.333 |
| SS | Ha-Seong Kim | .223/.290/.330 |
| LF | Jurickson Profar | .257/.353/.471 |
| CF | Michael Harris II | .241/.261/.396 |
| RF | Ronald Acuña Jr. | .272/.396/.484 |
| DH | Marcell Ozuna | .228/.355/.404 |
Braves Offense and Pitching Analysis
The Braves' offense ranks around the middle of MLB in most hitting stats. Injuries to key players like Acuña Jr. and Sean Murphy have impacted their offensive capabilities. However, Drake Baldwin's performance offers hope for a potential NL Rookie of the Year Award.
Braves pitching ranks lower in key stats, with injuries and inconsistency affecting the rotation. The bullpen ranks 21st in MLB. However, the Braves excel defensively, ranking 4th in defensive runs saved and committing the second-fewest errors.
Most Dangerous Player: Hurston Waldrep
Hurston Waldrep has been a bright spot for the Braves. In his first four starts, he surrendered only two earned runs, mirroring Fernando Valenzuela's early success in 1981. Even with a no-decision in his last start against Seattle, where he allowed two earned runs, Waldrep remains a key player to watch.
Injury Report
The Braves have faced numerous injuries throughout the season, significantly impacting their performance. Key players out include Sean Murphy, Austin Riley, Aaron Bummer, and others, with projected returns in 2026 or TBD.
Intangibles and Series Outlook
The Braves' inability to contend for a second World Series title after 2021 has been a disappointment. The team's focus shifts to evaluating minor league talent and preparing for a critical offseason. For the Astros, their second-half struggles raise questions about their postseason chances.
The Astros face a Braves team playing out the string. With AL West opponents ahead, Houston needs this series to springboard back into contention. The Astros are without Jeremy Pena, but Carlos Correa rejoins the team. Yordan Alvarez is their most imposing bat.Tonight’s game is at 7:15 PM ET.
