Padres new starter dominates on the mound vs. Braves

San Diego Padres star pitcher Nick Pivetta made a good impression in his first start of the 2025 MLB season.

Nick Pivetta stifles Braves en route to win

Pivetta held the Braves scoreless through seven innings of work en route to the Padres’ 5-0 win over Atlanta. The 32-year-old allowed one hit while tossing four strikeouts.

Thanks to Pivetta, San Diego was able to close out the Braves 4-0 in their first series of the season. The Canadian talent showed that he can give them quality pitching at the back of their rotation.

Padres manager raves over Pivetta’s strong performance

After the win, Padres manager Mike Shildt lauded Pivetta for his work on the mound, per MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell:

I mean, welcome to San Diego, Nick Pivetta,” said Shildt. “He dominated counts, had life on his heater, a really, really good curveball. His sweeper was good. … Really masterful game from Nick.”

Overall, the nine-year MLB veteran put together a quality outing. He’ll look to continue his strong start to the campaign in his next appearance, which will come in San Diego’s series against the Chicago Cubs.

Braves Right Fielders Are Running Out of Time

The Atlanta Braves are off to a difficult start in 2025. Atlanta is 0-4 after a season-opening sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres and will start a series with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night. With a brutal stretch to begin 2025, it is clear that the Braves are missing their injured stars. Starting pitcher Spencer Strider and outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. are still recovering from surgeries that ended their 2024 seasons, leaving Atlanta without two of its best players. While their starting pitching has been solid thus far during Strider’s absence, it is clear the Braves are missing Acuña in right field. Jarred Kelenic started the first four games in right field for the Braves, going 2-13 with a home run and five strikeouts in the series against the Padres. Kelenic, a career .212 hitter, has struggled since being traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Braves last year and may be on his last chance with Atlanta. The Braves will have to decide if Kelenic is part of their outfield plans once Acuña returns from his knee injury. Atlanta’s other option in right field, offseason signing Bryan De La Cruz, only had two at-bats off the bench against the Padres, going 0-2 with a strikeout. While De La Cruz showed offensive potential during his time with the

Miami Marlins, he struggled defensively, making Kelenic a more viable option in right field during Acuña’s absence. Braves manager Brian Snitker told ESPN’s Buster Olney during Sunday’s loss that the Braves will make sure Acuña is fully ready before placing him back in the lineup. Snitker said that there is an emphasis on ensuring that Acuña’s mobility and agility return to full speed. With Atlanta being patient with Acuña, Kelenic and De La Cruz will have an opportunity to get more playing time, but they’re running out of chances to prove themselves. While at least one of Kelenic and De La Cruz will likely remain on Atlanta’s 26-man roster once Acuña returns, both players are running

out of time to solidify their spots in Atlanta’s lineup. Left fielder Jurickson Profar and center fielder Michael Harris III hold everyday spots in the Braves’ lineup, so there is limited room for Kelenic and De La Cruz. With the Braves off to a difficult start, there is increased pressure on Kelenic and De La Cruz to perform when they’re in the lineup. The upcoming three-game series with the Dodgers presents a stiff test for whoever gets the nod in right field, but it is a test they will have to pass.