Matt Olson and Spencer Strider lead the Braves to a 7-1 win over the Mets on June 20, 2025, completing a crucial sweep to cut into the NL East deficit.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Now that's how you make a statement. The Atlanta Braves capped off a dominant series with a 7-1 thrashing of the New York Mets on Friday night, completing a much-needed sweep at Truist Park. Powered by a masterful performance from Spencer Strider and a huge night from Matt Olson, the Braves have now won three straight and seven of their last nine, looking like a team reborn and ready to fight their way back into the division hunt.
Just one week ago, the Braves trailed by 15 games in the NL East. After tonight's sweep, that deficit is down to 10.
Spencer Strider was in vintage form, carving up the Mets lineup for six innings. He allowed just one run and scattered five hits while racking up eight strikeouts, finally getting some run support to improve his record to 2-5. On the other side of the ball, Matt Olson was an offensive force. His bases-clearing, three-run double in the fifth blew the game wide open, but that was just part of his incredible night. Olson finished with two doubles, two walks, and three runs scored, looking every bit the middle-of-the-order slugger this team needs.
While Olson's big hit will grab the headlines, this win was a masterclass in offensive patience. The Braves lineup worked Mets starter Clay Holmes, drawing a career-high six walks from him and nine total in the game. It was a relentless, grinding approach that paid off with key runs. Bases-loaded walks to rookie Drake Baldwin and Ozzie Albies helped pad the lead, proving the Braves can win with discipline and pressure, not just pure power.
The good news keeps rolling in. The Braves are set to call up another prized arm from their system, with 20-year-old Didier Fuentes expected to make his MLB debut against the Marlins. This move, designed to give the regular starters extra rest, is another bold example of the front office's philosophy: if you're good enough, you're old enough. Following in the footsteps of recent call-ups like Michael Harris II, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Drake Baldwin, Fuentes' debut is a testament to the organization's aggressive and successful player development pipeline.
The Braves are riding high after a crucial sweep, but there's no time to rest. With a three-game winning streak and a 7-2 record in their last nine, the momentum is palpable. Now, all eyes turn to the upcoming series against the Marlins and the highly anticipated debut of Didier Fuentes. If the Braves can keep this fire burning, the 10-game deficit in the East might not seem so insurmountable after all. The race is far from over.
