Schwellenbach looks to get back on track after a shaky few weeks.
The Braves and Reds close out their four-game series on Thursday evening at Truist Park with a fascinating pitching matchup of two starters who got off to terrific starts in 2025 but have been up against it in recent weeks.
Spencer Schwellenbach is coming off one of the worst outings of his career against the Dodgers, surrendering six runs over just 3.2 innings. A crazy stat: over his first 21 innings this season, Schwellenbach allowed just one run to score. Over the 21.1 innings since (four starts), he’s allowed 17 runs to score. It feels weird to type, but Schwellenbach is seemingly throwing too many strikes in the zone. His fastball in particular has been in the middle of the plate far too often and is being hit hard. It will be interesting to see what adjustments, if any, the young righty makes this evening.
Nick Lodolo was excellent for Cincinnati in his first three starts with just three runs (two earned) allowed. He’s been solid overall, although an ugly start last week against the Nationals where he got pounded for seven runs on 10 hits and two walks skewed his season-long numbers. The 27-year-old southpaw features a terrific changeup that has been highly effective at getting hitters out this season, although his fastball and curveball are nothing special. The Braves haven’t seen many lefty starters this season so it will hopefully be an opportunity for the likes of Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and Sean Murphy to really mash.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET.