{"id":663039,"date":"2026-04-04T16:42:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T16:42:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/663039\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T16:42:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T16:42:40","slug":"diamondbacks-will-need-big-game-from-offense-to-stave-off-braves-field-level-media-professional-sports-content-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/663039\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks will need big game from offense to stave off Braves – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Putting runs on the scoreboard has not come easy for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who continue their four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

Arizona has been held to two or fewer runs in five of its first eight games, including a 2-0 loss to the Braves on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe main focus I have right now is how we can get this team going offensively,\u201d D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. \u201cThere\u2019s some guys that have been very proven, there\u2019s some guys that we\u2019re waiting to get going. We feel like it\u2019s a matter of time before that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks were held to a pair of singles on Friday and lost when Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson hit back-to-back homers off Paul Sewald to break a scoreless tie in the ninth inning.<\/p>\n

Olson collected his second homer in as many games, having hit one as the Braves routed Arizona 17-2 in the series opener on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Albies had three hits on Friday to help Atlanta improve to 6-2.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just having fun and being together as a team,\u201d Albies said.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers as Atlanta\u2019s Bryce Elder (1-0, 0.00 ERA) faces Arizona\u2019s Michael Soroka (1-0, 0.00).<\/p>\n

Elder made an impressive season debut by tossing six scoreless frames with five strikeouts in a 4-0 win over the Athletics last Monday.<\/p>\n

After struggling for much of last season, Elder ended on a high note while allowing three runs or fewer and pitching at least six innings in six of his final seven starts.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was really good over the last four or five weeks of last season, probably one of our best,\u201d Braves manager Walt Weiss said. \u201cThen he was throwing the ball well in spring training, and it has carried over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nolan Arenado is 2-for-11 against Elder, who owns a 9.39 ERA in two career starts covering 7 2\/3 innings versus Arizona.<\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks will counter with Soroka, who impressed in his Arizona debut with 10 strikeouts over five scoreless innings in a 9-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers last Monday.<\/p>\n

Soroka also recorded the fourth immaculate inning in franchise history when he struck out three batters in the fifth inning on three pitches each.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty special,\u201d Soroka said. \u201cI think I\u2019ve talked about not putting too much stock in results, but I think that\u2019s one that\u2019s worth celebrating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soroka pitched four seasons with the Braves from 2018-23, going 17-8 with a 3.32 ERA. He made his lone start against Atlanta as a member of the Washington Nationals on May 13, 2025, allowing two runs over four innings.<\/p>\n

Arizona will be without outfielder Jordan Lawlar for the next six to eight weeks after the 23-year-old broke his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch on Thursday.
Lawlar was off to a hot start at the plate, hitting .333 (6 for 18) with one double and one homer in six games.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s frustrating,\u201d Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said. \u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019s frustrated more than we are. He looked great. He was doing a really good job in the outfield and was having great at-bats. We\u2019re going to miss him. But we\u2019ll keep the train rolling until he comes back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n

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