The Braves fell to the Reds 3-2 on Aug 3, 2025, but the big news was the trade for pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Full recap and analysis of the game and trade.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'good news, bad news' Sunday for Braves Country. The bad news came on the field in a frustrating 3-2 loss to the Reds, where the offense just couldn't deliver the knockout blow. The good news? General Manager Alex Anthopoulos made a move, acquiring veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the Yankees to bring a much-needed arm to an injury-plagued starting rotation. While one game slipped away, the team took a clear step to address its biggest weakness.
Seven scoreless innings.
The series finale in Cincinnati was a nail-biter that ultimately went the wrong way. The Braves' offense struggled to string together hits against Reds starter Brady Singer, manufacturing just two runs. A sacrifice fly from Michael Harris II and some classic hustle from Ozzie Albies, who scored and stole a base, wasn't enough to overcome a two-run homer by Cincinnati's Will Benson. While the Braves' bullpen did its job to keep the game within reach, the bats couldn't find the clutch hit, a recurring theme that has fans on edge.
Just as the loss settled in, the Braves announced a move to shore up the pitching staff. In a low-risk, high-potential deal, the team acquired 38-year-old veteran Carlos 'Cookie' Carrasco from the New York Yankees for cash considerations or a player to be named later. With the starting rotation hit hard by injuries, Carrasco provides an experienced arm capable of eating innings and stabilizing the back end. It's a classic Anthopoulos move: find a veteran on a short-term deal to plug a hole without mortgaging the future.
As the Braves add a veteran arm in the big leagues, one of their top prospects is making it impossible to ignore him in the minors. Hurston Waldrep, the team's No. 4 prospect, was simply untouchable in his latest start for Triple-A Gwinnett. He spun seven shutout innings, baffling hitters and continuing a dominant stretch. With every scoreless frame, Waldrep is making a stronger case for a promotion, creating a fascinating dynamic as the Braves weigh their options between the new veteran and the rising star.
While all eyes are on the pitching situation, the farm system is producing firepower on the offensive side, too. Third baseman David McCabe was just named the organization's 'hottest hitting prospect' after a blistering start to his Double-A career. In his first game with the Mississippi Braves, he homered and doubled, and he has now hit safely in three of his first four games at the new level. It's a great sign for the future depth of the organization's lineup.
While Sunday's loss evened the series and left a sour taste, the front office's proactive move to acquire Carlos Carrasco shows they aren't standing pat. The biggest question now is how the rotation will shake out. Will Carrasco provide the steady veteran presence needed, or will Hurston Waldrep's dominant performances in Triple-A force the issue? Either way, help is on the way for the pitching staff. Now, the offense needs to find its own spark and provide the support necessary to turn these tight losses into wins as the Braves head into a critical week.
