After a rough start to the trip to Chicago against the Cubs on Tuesday, the Braves were able to bounce back and take the series from the Cubs thanks, in part, to some stellar pitching by the Bravos staff.
There was plenty to like from basically every hurler that took the mound and the offense, though showing life in their 9-1 game win, was relatively quiet again despite the two wins.
Here are three takeaways from the series as the Braves complete their road trip in Pittsburgh.
AJ Smith-Shawver looks fantastic in 2024 debut
The Braves fifth starter experiment continued on Thursday, as 21-year-old AJ Smith-Shawver made his 2024 debut and looked solid amidst albeit a short outing against the Cubs.
Seeing his second year of MLB action after starting the season in Triple-A, Smith-Shawver had great command of his three-pitch mix of fastball, changeup, and curveball during his 4.1 inning outing in a 3-0 win.
AJ Smith-Shawver, Elevated 97mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/HI6h8uX9iR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 23, 2024
He threw 87 pitches, 55 for strikes, and was nearly 50% his on-average 96 MPH fastball. It resulted in a three-hit, four-strikeout, and two walk outing to start his season.
It's definitely a promising start for Smith-Shawver, though not the end all be all either.
Elder looked good in his first few outings before reverting to his post-2023 All-Star break self. Smith-Shawver himself impressed last season before a couple of rough starts saw him sent to the minors for good.
He had earned himself an opportunity to start again but unfortunately, a Grade 2 oblique strain landed him on the 15-day IL. That injury will sideline him for approximately six to eight weeks, leaving Atlanta to make another tough decision to fill the fifth spot in the rotation.