Today's Three Things: Nacho Alvarez Mashes Braves to a Win on Saturday
Atlanta's backup third baseman hit his first two career MLB homers in this one
The Atlanta Braves rallied late against the Detroit Tigers, winning 6-5 in Comerica Park on Saturday afternoon.
Here is Today’s Three Things from the contest.
The Turning Point
The top of the 9th.
Atlanta was trailing by one run, 5-4, and desperately searching for offense. To that point in the game, the Braves had just three hits in the game, all solo shots.
And then the middle of the order came up.
Ozzie Albies and Ha-Seong Kim hit back-to-back singles, with Ozzie pulling a single to right and Kim shooting one the other way. After two strikeouts, one of Michael Harris II and the other on Sandy León, Nacho Alvarez and Jurickson Profar then cashed in both singles with their own base hits, giving Atlanta the final margin of victory.
Today’s Player of the Game
It will be Nacho Alvarez Jr.
Nacho, whom I discussed only having one career barrel on social media last night, apparently read my tweet and decided to do something about it.
Alvarez hit two home runs in this one, pulling breaking balls down the left field line and into the Tigers’ bullpen. The broadcast confirmed that Comerica Park personnel retrieved the first home run ball and turned it over to Braves clubhouse staff, although it’s unknown if he’ll get the second ball back or not.
Alvarez then picked up a key RBI single in the 9th, finishing with three of Atlanta’s seven hits and three runs batted in.
What You’ll Be Talking About
A questionable but understandable pitching change.
After Dylan Lee gave up a single to open the 7th inning, he struck out both Gleyber Torres and Wenceel Pérez to give himself an opening to end the inning. Manager Brian Snitker had other plans, however, going to righty Pierce Johnsee to face the right-handed bat of Spencer Torkelson.
In very “2025 Braves” fashion, Torkelson hit a two-run homer to break the tie and put the Tigers in the lead, causing a lot of consternation about the decision to swap relievers.
But when you look into the decision, it makes sense. Torkelson’s OPS is 153 points higher versus lefties than righties and of the trio of pitches those relievers feature, he’s worse against Johnson’s curveball than he is Lee’s slider or fastballs in general.
Remember, the decision is either right or wrong at the time you make it, not with the benefit of hindsight. At the time, Johnson was the correct choice to face Torkelson. I’m willing to bet that the original plan was for Lee to get through the inning unscathed, letting Johnson pitch the eighth and handling Torkelson to start the frame.
Looking for more discussion about this game?
Here’s this afternoon’s Postcast, with me and Locked On Braves host Jake Mastroianni, as we went live to break down the win.
What’s Next for the Braves?
Atlanta’s looking for a sweep on Sunday afternoon. Spencer Strider (6-13, 4.64) gets the ball opposite Casey Mize (14-5, 3.88) at 1:40 PM ET.
I like that they're still fighting and trying to win games. Really i do.
But they're hurting their 2026 draft position.
And when you're saddled with our Ownership and Front Office little things like the Draft Lottery matter.
Fun game and I agree with your assessment of bringing in Johnson - even though it backfired, it made sense at the time.
I'm still discouraged with Harris - in his last at bat with runners in scoring position he watches two hittable fast ball strikes and then strikes out on a slider that almost hits him.