Braves become first team to 30 wins this season

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Wednesday night in Truist Park, becoming the first team to 30 wins this season.

Mike Yastrzemski’s pinch-hit RBI double in the bottom of the eighth was the breakthrough, and Mauricio Dubon added a two-run homer in the next at-bat for insurance. 

JR Ritchie made his third start of the season and his career. He went 4.1 innings, striking out four and giving up two hits and one earned run. Reliever Robert Suarez earned his fourth win this season, and closer Raisel Iglesias picked up his eighth save. 

The Braves, now 30-13, sit atop the NL East by nine games, and hold the best record in the league by half a game and a half over the Tampa Bay Rays. 

After last season’s disastrous 0-7 start, the Braves finished 76-86 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. 

Longtime manager Brian Snitker retired after the season and moved into an advisory role within the front office. 

The Braves looked internally for Snitker’s replacement, promoting bench coach Walt Weiss to manager. 

This season, led by MVP candidates Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin, the Braves look to be firmly back on track.

Zack Busbee is a sportswriter for Ball Exclusives.