Braves pitchers, led by Grant Holmes, nearly set an MLB strikeout record vs. the Rockies before a June 2025 showdown with the Mets. Recap the historic K's.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Even on a quiet off day, the buzz around the Atlanta Braves is anything but. While the team took a much-needed breather on Monday after a tough 10-1 loss in Colorado, the real story lies in the staggering numbers put up by the pitching staff over the weekend. As the Braves regroup at home, they do so on the heels of a near-historic performance, turning their attention to a pivotal three-game series against the New York Mets starting Tuesday.
Braves pitchers combined for 35 strikeouts over the last two games of the Rockies series, falling just one shy of the major-league record for strikeouts in back-to-back games.
Losing 10-1 is never easy to swallow, but the box score from the weekend series against the Rockies tells two different tales. While the offense struggled on Sunday, the pitching staff was absolutely electric. Over the final two games in Denver, Braves arms fanned a jaw-dropping 35 batters, coming within a single strikeout of tying the 1986 Boston Red Sox for the MLB record over a two-game span. The headliner was Grant Holmes, who was magnificent on Sunday despite the loss, striking out 15 Rockies over 6 1/3 innings. It's a powerful reminder that even when the wins aren't there, the talent on this roster can produce historic results.
After a tough series finale at high altitude, Monday's off day was a welcome sight. It provides a crucial opportunity for the team to travel, rest, and mentally reset before diving into a key divisional matchup. The day was quiet on the transaction front, with no roster moves, injury updates, or major announcements. This indicates a sense of stability and focus from the front office, allowing the players to concentrate fully on the task ahead: defending their home turf against the Mets.
The calm of the off day is about to be replaced by the roar of the crowd at Truist Park. On Tuesday, the Braves kick off a massive three-game series against the NL East rival New York Mets. These games always carry extra weight, and this series is no exception. Spencer Schwellenbach gets the ball in the opener, tasked with setting the tone against a tough Mets lineup. A strong start to this homestand is crucial, and it all begins with Tuesday night's performance.
While the big-league club rested, the farm system also had a quiet day with no major updates. The most recent highlight remains top prospect Hurston Waldrep's excellent six-inning performance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday. His continued development, along with the recent dominance from arms like Grant Holmes, paints a bright picture for the future and present of Atlanta's pitching depth. For now, though, every ounce of focus is on the 26 players in the big-league clubhouse and the challenge that awaits them.
An off day can feel like a lull, but for the Braves, it's a strategic pause. With the sting of Sunday's loss fading and the buzz of a near-record pitching performance providing a silver lining, all focus now shifts to Truist Park. The upcoming series against the Mets isn't just another set of games; it's a statement opportunity. Tune in Tuesday to see if this rested and refocused Braves squad can set a dominant tone against their division rivals.
