ATLANTA, GA – In a season that has seen its share of twists and turns, one narrative continues to unfold with undeniable clarity: the Atlanta Braves’ absolute supremacy over their divisional rivals, the New York Mets. The latest chapter, a 3-2 victory at Citi Field, cemented a 4-0 record for the Braves against the Mets in the 2025 MLB season, a testament to their unwavering focus and, critically, the burgeoning brilliance of young right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach.
Monday night’s contest was a microcosm of the Mets’ recent struggles and the Braves’ quiet, methodical dominance. While the New York faithful might lament their team’s ninth loss in ten games, the Braves simply executed their game plan, leaning heavily on the arm of their emerging ace.
Schwellenbach, now boasting a stellar 6-4 record with a 3.21 ERA and an impressive 0.99 WHIP through 16 starts, delivered a pitching masterclass. For seven commanding innings, he stifled a Mets lineup that, despite its potential, remains mired in an offensive funk. The lone blemishes on his pristine ledger were a two-run homer to the ever-dangerous Juan Soto – a testament to Soto’s power rather than any significant flaw in Schwellenbach’s arsenal. He surrendered just four hits, struck out four, and issued a mere one walk, showcasing the pinpoint control that has become a hallmark of his young career.
This wasn’t an anomaly for the 25-year-old. Schwellenbach has now completed seven innings in eight of his 16 starts this season, leading all of Major League Baseball in innings pitched with 103 2/3. His comfort against the Mets is particularly striking, holding a remarkable 2.06 ERA in five starts against them over the past two seasons. His diverse pitch mix, which includes a blazing fastball, an excellent slider, a deceptive splitter, and a well-commanded curveball, consistently keeps hitters off balance. He’s proven to be exceptionally intelligent on the mound, making quick adjustments to his mix and command, turning him into one of the league’s most reliable arms well before his first full year of service time.
The Braves’ offense, while not an explosion of runs, provided just enough support. Ronald Acuña Jr. continued to flash his MVP-caliber form with a solo home run, while Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy chipped in with crucial sacrifice flies. These timely hits underscore a fundamental difference between the two clubs: the Braves find ways to score, even when facing adversity, a trait often absent in the Mets’ recent performances.
For the Mets, the story remains frustratingly consistent. Manager Carlos Mendoza pointed to a high chase rate and an unbalanced lineup as key culprits behind their offensive woes. While Juan Soto remains a bright spot, driving home a significant percentage of the Mets’ recent runs, the rest of the lineup has struggled to produce consistently. Their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, as evidenced by Soto striking out against Dylan Lee with runners on the corners in the eighth, has been a recurring theme.
The late innings also provided drama, with Braves reliever Dylan Lee stepping up to secure his second career save, snapping a team-record 31-game stretch without one. His crucial strikeout of Soto in the eighth, followed by a perfect ninth, highlighted the Braves’ depth and resilience.
This Braves-Mets rivalry continues to be one-sided in 2025, with Atlanta holding all the cards. As the season progresses, the Mets will need to find answers to their offensive struggles and the Braves will look to continue riding the strong arm of Spencer Schwellenbach as they aim for another deep postseason run. This dominant performance by Schwellenbach isn’t just a win; it’s a statement, echoing loudly across the National League East.
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