The Atlanta Braves have every reason to smile after beginning an extended stretch against National League East foes with a resounding three-game series sweep.
Winner of six of their past seven games overall, the Braves will bid to continue their recent good fortune on Friday night when they send right-handed prospect Didier Fuentes to the mound for the opener of a three-game series against the host Miami Marlins.
Atlanta followed a 5-4 victory in 10 innings over the Mets on Tuesday with back-to-back convincing wins over them. Matt Olson hit a solo homer in a 5-0 victory on Wednesday and ripped a three-run double in a 7-1 rout on Thursday.
Olson, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak, has reached base safely in 20 consecutive contests. He went 3-for-8 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs as the Braves split two games with the Marlins on April 4-5.
After facing Miami this weekend, the Braves will visit the Mets for a four-game series and will host the Philadelphia Phillies for three games from June 27-29.
Fuentes, who turned 20 on Tuesday, will be promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his MLB debut for Atlanta on Friday.
He will be MLB’s youngest starting pitcher since Julio Urias got the nod for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Phillies on Aug. 8, 2016. Urias was 19 years and 289 days old at the time.
Fuentes has a 4.81 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings across three minor-league levels this season. He is 0-7, but that doesn’t seem to be a concern in Atlanta.
“It’s all really good stuff. The guy throws strikes. He’s got a good fastball that plays,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I’ve never seen him live. I’ve watched it on my phone, that prospect game they played in spring training. Got some texts from the guys that were doing it that game that were very complimentary.
“And it sounds like it’s a kid that’s kind of above his years as far as maturity and strikes and stuff.”
The Marlins are coming off a series loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, dropping three of four games after sweeping the Washington Nationals. The Marlins failed to hold a late lead and lost 2-1 to Philadelphia on Thursday.
Miami right-hander Janson Junk (1-0, 2.78 ERA) will make his first start in the majors since 2023 when he takes the mound on Friday.
Junk, who is entering the rotation in place of the injured Max Meyer (hip), fared well in his most recent outing. He recorded his first win since the 2022 season after scattering two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings of bulk relief in a 4-3 victory over the Nationals on Saturday.
“I try — every single time I step onto that field, that mound, and look down at the catcher, I just understand that my stuff’s good enough to get these guys out,” Junk said. “At the end of the day, I understand that (I) can get guys out. That’s where the confidence comes from.”
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said he is impressed with what Junk brings to the table.
“He’s got a deep arsenal, he’s got a good fastball with carry toward the top of the strike zone that hitters have to respect,” McCullough said. “And then his ability to, you know, spin the ball really in any count.”
Junk, 29, has yet to face the Braves in his career.
–Field Level Media
