Here is Today's Three Things from Atlanta's 7-6 loss to the Texas Rangers, including the issues for Owen Murphy, an odd bullpen decision from Walt Weiss that backfired, and Tyler Kinley's persistent struggles to prevent home runs from lefties.

AJ Smith-Shawver's day is done for Gwinnett: 4.1IP, 4H, 0ER, 1BB/5Ks on 72 pitches (43 strikes) Averaged 96.9 mph on his 4S with a max of 99.4 and touched 97 in the final inning 13 whiffs and a 26% CSW. Of the 12 batted balls, only ONE was hard-hit We're getting there.

FINAL: Rangers 7, Braves 6 Braves drop an ugly game after the defense has an uncharacteristic afternoon and Atlanta uses the entire pen to cover for a short start. Jake and I are going live to break this one down, if you're free for a few youtube.com/live/eN_1z6k...

Here is The Scouting Report for game two of Braves/Rangers, including keys to success for Owen Murphy's first career MLB start, how Rangers lefty MacKenzie Gore has historically struggled in Truist Park, and the bullpen status for both teams

#Braves injury news: Walt Weiss says that both LHP Martín Pérez (forearm contusion) and OF Mike Yastrzemski (elbow inflammation) could return during this homestand. Pérez is a candidate to start one of the final games in the four-game Padres series that ends on Thursday.

#Braves organizational starters for Saturday: MLB Atlanta (4:10): Owen Murphy AAA Gwinnett (DH @ 5:30): AJ Smith-Shawver (MLB rehab), Lucas Braun AA Columbus (DH @ 5:00): GM1 resumption (B1), Brett Sears A+ Rome (6:45): TBD A Augusta (7:05): Derek Vartanian

NEW POD: Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has reported that Alex Anthopoulos is looking at adding offense over pitching at the trade deadline, and here's why that is a problem.

Here is Today's Three Things for Atlanta's incredibly entertaining 15-1 win over the Texas Rangers, including reliever Victor Medeiros' comments after his two-RBI single and Austin Riley's impressive diving play in an eleven-run game.

BLOUSES, BRAVES WIN 15-1 This game was awesome. Come talk about it with me and Jake www.youtube.com/live/b9lFBKS...

The #Rangers have a POSITION (•_•) <) )╯ / \ \(•_•) ( (> PLAYER / \ (•_•) <) )> PITCHING / \ (It's catcher Kyle Higashioka)

Chris Sale's night is over, and what a DOMINANT night it was: 7IP, 2H, 0ER, 0BB/6Ks on 89 pitches (62 strikes) 16 whiffs and a 29% CSW with a 70% first-pitch strike rate, only 6 HH balls in 17 BBEs, and an avg EV of 88.1 mph

✅ Power fastball with good traits? ✅ Elite changeup? ✅ LSU commit? Welcome to the 2027 Atlanta Braves, Samir Mohammed!

Injury updates out of Truist Park: Ronald Acuña Jr. *could* return before the end of this homestand on Thursday, but Walt Weiss wouldn't commit to that timeframe. Robert Suarez is playing catch, but hasn't yet progressed to throwing bullpens yet

Here is The Scouting Report for the series opener between the Braves and Rangers, including details on Cal Quantrill's fastball-heavy pitch mix, Atlanta's success against him, and the surprising hurdle in front of Chris Sale

#Braves organizational starters are BACK! Here's the slate for Friday: Atlanta (7:15): Chris Sale AAA Gwinnett (7:05): AJ Smith-Shawver (MLB rehab) AA Columbus (7:00): Julio Robaina A+ Rome (6:45): TBD A Augusta (7:05): Landon Beidelschies

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports the Braves are currently more focused on adding to the offense at the trade deadline while "weighing multiple internal options" for the rotation As I wrote this morning, they've got 17 days to decide is Owen Murphy, AJSS, Waldrep, Schwelly, etc can be a factor

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves give Owen Murphy his first MLB start, the Mets decide to sell, and previewing the Texas Rangers

NEWS: The Atlanta Braves are transferring Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim's rehab assignments to Triple-A, where they'll join AJ Smith-Shawver in Toledo for tonight's opener versus the Mud Hens

John Smoltz once told me you only need three hot hitters, three hot relievers, and three hot starters to win in October. That completely changed how I think about the trade deadline. The question isn't whether the Braves need another starter. It's which postseason game they're trying to buy. ⬇️

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves have started signing their draft picks, and getting all these preps in the fold is only possible because of a historic underslot deal in the first round. Lindsay and Taylor are here to bring you all the details.

OFFICIAL: Braves are giving Owen Murphy a start this weekend vs the Texas Rangers: Fri: LH Chris Sale (9-6, 2.20) Sat: RH Owen Murphy (0-1, 2.25) Sun: RH Grant Holmes (5-4, 3.61)

MINOR LEAGUE NEWS: LHP Ray Kerr lives! He just pitched in the FCL on a rehab stint, allowing no hits or runs (but also not getting any strikeouts and walking two) in one inning of work

NEW POD: Let's assess at the 2026 Atlanta Braves at the All-Star Break: a lockdown bullpen, a capable offense when healthy, and questions in the rotation that need to be addressed if this team wants to reach their potential

It's not really a first-half recap. It's five things I believe about the Braves after 95 games. The offense. The bullpen. The rotation. The division race. And why this isn't the year for Alex Anthopoulos to play it safe.

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves didn't let the extra money phase them, choosing to stick to their tried-and-true patterns and preferences in this year's MLB Draft, and the experts are praising them for it.

NEWS: Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim today begin rehabilitation assignments with the FCL Braves.

Want to know who the Braves actually drafted? We've got you covered. Meet Atlanta's entire 2026 draft class, with scouting reports, player backgrounds, and what each pick brings to the organization. 🔗

Don't judge the Braves' draft by any one pick. The real story is how every selection fit into a larger organizational blueprint. Here's what stood out after Atlanta's 21-player draft class was complete. 🔗:

The only teams to be swept fewer than two times prior to the 2026 All-Star Break: Los Angeles Dodgers Chicago Cubs Cleveland Guardians ATLANTA BRAVES

BLOUSES, Braves win 4-3 Atlanta avoids the sweep behind the duo of Jimmy Baseball and his Gwinnett running mate Brewer Hicklen, plus some errors by St. Louis For one last time before the All-Star Break, let's talk about it youtube.com/live/DdXkDaj...

BONUS POD: AJ Smith-Shawver's stuff was impressive in Saturday's rehab start, but even he acknowledged that the outcome wasn't good and that he has more work to do

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves did something they've never done before on Saturday, drafting two college outfielders in the first two rounds of the Draft. Here's what you need to know about Atlanta's Day One of the 2026 MLB Draft

ICYMI: The Atlanta Braves both surprised us on day one of the MLB Draft and did exactly what we thought they'd do. Let's talk about it.

The Braves didn't just draft five players on Day One. They executed a strategy. Why Atlanta's first five picks only make sense when you view them as one interconnected draft plan:

NEW POD: The Atlanta Braves did something they've never done before on Saturday, drafting two college outfielders in the first two rounds of the Draft. Here's what you need to know about Atlanta's Day One of the 2026 MLB Draft

AJ Smnith-Shawver's day is over - 2.1 IP, 5H, 2 ER, 3BB/2Ks on 58 pitches (27 strikes) 4 whiffs (3 on the splitter) and maxed out at 98.7, but just ran out of gas late. I think he's getting there - looked really impressive early, but the stamina's not there.

AJ Smith-Shawver's first inning here in AAA Gwinnett: One strikeout, one walk, 17 pitches (9 strikes) and averaged 97.4 mph on the heater with a max of 98.7

Our MLB Draft Primer series continues with a look at the Braves' No. 84 overall pick. Taylor breaks down seven names to watch, why they fit Atlanta's draft philosophy, and who he thinks the Braves will select. 🔗: open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

Hey, let's do a Braves Today rain delay show! Going LIVE on YouTube in just a minute! youtube.com/live/vKzdVfA...

The Atlanta Braves are starting off their final series before the All-Star Break with lefty ace Chris Sale on the mound in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals. Here is The Scouting Report for today's game.

The further down the draft board you go, the more strategy comes into play. Taylor examines six prospects who make sense for the Braves at No. 48, plus how Atlanta's bonus pool could shape the decision. 🔗: open.substack.com/pub/bravesto...

NEW POD: Bryce Elder made changes, but still couldn't right the ship versus the Pirates, Austin Riley's golden sombrero, and Apple TV's Alex Faust stops by to preview Braves/Cardinals tonight on Apple TV

#Braves organizational starters for Friday: Atlanta (8:15): Chris Sale Gwinnett (7:05): Herick Hernandez (AAA Debut) Columbus (7:06): Ian Mejia Rome (7:05): TBD Augusta (7:05): Landon Beidelschies

The Braves have a second first-round pick thanks to Drake Baldwin's Rookie of the Year season. Who could Atlanta target at No. 26? Taylor breaks down seven intriguing fits, from high-upside prep talent to polished college standouts.

NEW POD: Matt Powers of Battery Power and NCAA Baseball Report joins the show to take a deep dive into candidates to go at #9 and #26, sleeper picks for day two, and whether Atlanta should go for floor or ceiling. youtu.be/0PkDRFBNOmo

Who's your favorite prospect for the Braves at No. 9? Braves Today contributor Taylor breaks down four players he believes are firmly in the mix, from Georgia Tech slugger Drew Burress to Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, plus a final prediction. ⬇️

Here is Today's Three Things from Atlanta's 10-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale, including postgame comments from Jimm "Jimmy Baseball" Jarvis and observations about what Bryce Elder tried to do differently today

Okay, this is an entertaining opposing broadcast call Homer #120 is a Mike Yastrzemski GRAND SLAM! 104.8 off the bat and 403 feet "This is not the same Dennis Santana. I feel so bad for him. [...] This is not the same pitcher out there, and there goes the game."

Final line for Bryce Elder: 4IP, 5H, 4R (3 ER), 2BB/3Ks on 69 pitches (49 strikes). ERA is now 4.12 Velo was still down a bit, but he made a massive pitch change too and went with the cutter as his primary fastball. Six of his nine whiffs came on it.

#Braves organizational starters for Thursday: MLB (12:35): Bryce Elder AAA Gwinnett (7:05): Anthony Molina AA Columbus (7:06): Julio Robaina A+ Rome (6:35): TBD A Augusta (7:05): Derek Vartanian