From The Diamond

Locked in a four-way battle for one of three Wild Card spots, the Atlanta Braves have just a week remaining to punch their ticket to the postseason.

Grant McAuley takes you through the week that was for the Braves, one that included the maddeningly inconsistent offense and some missed opportunities to beat lesser teams that could loom large this time of year. With several big bats finally getting hot, can Atlanta get on track in the final few series of the regular season and find its way into October? Will the return of Ozzie Albies benefit the club in more ways than one? Can anyone stop Chris Sale from earning his first career Cy Young.

With Shohei Ohtani's history-making performance in establishing the 50-50 club, we look back on Ronald Acuña Jr.'s historic 40-70 season, what the two have in common, why comparison is the thief of joy, and what having this style of baseball back in the mainstream means to the game itself.

And with their rivalry rekindled can the Braves and Mets write another memorable chapter this week as they clash at Truist Park with a playoff spot on the line? Adam Gold of 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh joins the show to discuss.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this edition of From The Diamond!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves come down the stretch in a four-way battle for one of three Wild Card spots in the National League. Can they find the offense to back up the stellar pitching and secure their place in the postseason?

Grant McAuley discusses the latest goings on for the Braves, which includes their path to the playoffs. With the New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks all battling it out and with head-to-head meetings still to come, this four-team race could come down to the final series of the season. The Braves offense has been particularly down in September and need to course correct to support the pitching staff which is the best in Major Leagues. We'll dive into the numbers and highlight some key players who could help Atlanta make a run to and through October.

Whit Merrifield returned to the Braves lineup despite suffering a fractured left foot. Hear from the Atlanta second baseman on why getting back in the lineup was so important to him. Meanwhile, reliever A.J. Minter discusses his season-ending surgery, time in a Braves uniform, and his mindset heading into free agency.

Heidi Watney of AppleTV joins the show to discuss the big weekend showdown between the Braves and Dodgers, the similarities between both teams this season, the incredible numbers of Shohei Ohtani, and the final playoff push for the NL Wild Card spots.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this edition of From The Diamond!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

After dropping a series in frustrating fashion to first place Philadelphia, the Atlanta Braves must regroup over the final month to secure a spot in the postseason.

Grant McAuley discussed the series against the Phillies, waning division title hope, the wild card picture, some offensive trends for several key players that are encouraging for some and require improvement for others. We'll also turn our attention to the Wild Card race, which has five viable contender for three spot, with Atlanta right in the middle of all these teams.

Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution checks in from Philadelphia, where the Braves dropped 3-of-4 with a pair of games slipping through their fingers in the hard-fought series. They discuss that series, the wild card hopefuls, and update the status of All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.

In our trip around the big leagues, a pair of Scott Boras clients have differing feelings about their free agency last winter, the son of a longtime major league manager makes his major league debut, and Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star joins the show to chat about the upstart Kansas City Royals, led by MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. and eyeing a spot in October for the first time in a decade.

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves finished off a winning homestand but now face another big challenge as they hit the road against two more teams with their focus set on October.

Grant McAuley recaps an eventful week for the Braves, who lost All-Star third baseman Austin Riley to a fractured right hand, the latest in a string of injuries to key players this season. Riley and manager Brian Snitker discussed this latest setback this week.

Will the acquisition of Gio Urshela be enough to hold down the hot corner? Can Atlanta steer clear of any major injuries moving forward? The answer was murky after Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch on his left hand on Sunday, though he has appeared to have dodged a major malady for the moment.

Brandon Gaudin of Bally Sports joins the show to size up where the Braves are, the standout work by several injury replacements, and preview the upcoming road trip which includes a stop in Minnesota and the final regular season showdown with the first place Phillies.

You'll also hear from Braves reliever Pierce Johnson, who discusses the impact of losing A.J. Minter for the season, the strong work from the Atlanta bullpen this year, and the mindset of the team moving forward.

Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio joins the show to discuss the latest in a long line of accomplishments for Shohei Ohtani, who joined the 40-40 club over the weekend, the chances of a 50-50 season, and size up some of the races in the American League.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this edition of the show!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves were able to bring home a winning record on their 10-game road trip, but were hit with a barrage of injuries in the process.

Grant McAuley discusses how the latest injury issues could affect Atlanta's stretch drive, with none bigger than the uncertainty surrounding third baseman Austin Riley. He was hit by a pitch on the right hand and is set to undergo further testing as the club returns home. Between that, Jorge Soler's hamstring issue, and potential season-ending surgery for A.J. Minter, it was a tough stretch for the club on the health front.

Not all was doom and gloom, however. Chris Sale continued his run of dominance this season and could be poised to do something no Braves pitcher has done since 1889! Teammate Marcell Ozuna is also in the running for a pretty special distinction if he can finish strong over the final six weeks. Atlanta is set to welcome Reynaldo Lopez back from the IL this week and benefiting from the play of two injury replacements -- Whit Merrifield and Ramon Laureano. The legend of Grant Holmes continued against the Giants and Charlie Morton reached a major strikeout milestone as well on this trip. We'll get into that and much more in "This Week in Braves Baseball."

Special guest Brad Rowland of Hammer Territory joins the show to discuss the road trip, the injuries and what's ahead for the Braves as the get set for a showdown with the Philadelphia Phillies this week at Truist Park. Be sure to subscribe to Hammer Territory wherever you get your podcasts.

Also, from the archives this week, Braves great Dale Murphy shares his memories and the rationale behind the 1990 trade that sent him to the Phillies some 34 years ago. Hear the inside story from the man himself!

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this edition of the show!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

With one of the worst weeks in recent memory behind them, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to find their footing in the Wild Card race as they finish up a 10-game road trip.

Grant McAuley discussed the letdown in Colorado following a stunning defeat at the hands of the lowly Rockies which cost Atlanta a series win on Sunday. We'll break down the pitching issues that have compounded for the Braves at a critical time on their schedule, what they can do to fix it, and discuss whether or not the offense could finally be up to the task of covering for the pitching staff.

David O'Brien of The Athletic joins the show to discuss what's gone wrong for the Braves this season and particularly in the second half, whether or not the club did enough at the Trade Deadline, what has to change for the offense to get going, and how the departures of key coaches could be affecting the overall morale of the club as it deals with one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this episode!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta every weekend. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves and the rest of MLB have done all the wheeling and dealing they could and now prepare for the final two months of the season on the road to October.

Grant McAuley recaps the week that was for the Braves, which included some encouraging signs and a more of the same in some cases. The return of Max Fried was overshadowed by a series loss to the retooling Miami Marlins over the weekend, but the first place Philadelphia Phillies have been encountering some trouble over the past few weeks. Is the time right for Atlanta to make a push for its seventh straight NL East title?

With the addition of Jorge Soler, the Braves lineup should get a much-needed lift at the leadoff spot. Can the rest of the bats get going and keep going at the right time? First baseman Matt Olson has emerged from a long cold spell. Hear from Olson on what it's taken to navigate the lows this season and where he feels the team is trending with less than two months to go.

Nick Green of Bally Sports joins the show to size up the trade deadline deal for Soler and Luke Jackson, what needs to happen for Atlanta to finally get its bats going, a deeper dive on Olson and Marcell Ozuna, as well as the strength of the Atlanta pitching staff after not going after a starter via trade.

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sunday evenings. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the Atlanta Braves remain in contention for a playoff spot, but the injuries just keep piling up.

Grant McAuley discusses an eventful weekend for the Braves, who rallied to split a four-game series against the New York Mets after dropping the first two games. While the offense was showing some encouraging signs in those wins and rookie Spencer Schwellenbach shined in Game 3, it was an injury to All-Star Reynaldo Lopez that took the shine off a victory in the finale.

With trade options to sift through, Atlanta GM Alex Anthopoulos will be scouring the market to find reinforcements for his club. That list includes outfield help, a potential starting pitcher acquisition and the possibility of adding a versatile infielder. Jake Mastroianni of Locked On Braves joins the show to discuss the Braves' deadline strategy.

Meanwhile, the rest of MLB has already started significant wheeling and dealing. With the Rays selling off pieces of their club and other contenders getting a jump on the market, Xavier Scruggs of MLB Network and ESPN checks in to react to the early deals, those to come, and weigh in on what the Braves could use at the deadline.

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves were dealt two more major injury blows as ace lefty Max Fried and starting second baseman Ozzie Albies suffered injuries as the second half opened this weekend.

Grant McAuley discusses the latest on the forearm issue that landed Fried on the IL, an ailment that first cropped up as he prepared to pitch in the All-Star Game. With that news fresh on their minds, the Braves lost Albies to a fractured left wrist. That injury is expected to sideline him for approximately two months. Where will the Braves turn for help? It could be infield prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr.'s opportunity to shine. Atlanta will definitely have to reassess its shopping list with the MLB Trade Deadline just over a week away.

Meanwhile, Gaurav Vedak of Baseball Prospectus joins the show to discuss the 2024 Braves draft class and the minor league system that contains some valuable trade chips.

You'll also hear from longtime Braves broadcaster Chip Caray, who discusses his time with the Cardinals, the family ties to the broadcast booth, another generation of Carays that follows him, and the Hall of Fame cases of his father Skip Caray as well as Pete Van Wieren and Ernie Johnson Sr.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues to cover induction weekend in Cooperstown on this edition of the show!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The first half of the 2024 MLB season has officially come and gone and the Atlanta Braves still believe their best baseball is yet to come.

As the club cruised into the All-Star break after a series win in San Diego, Grant McAuley sizes up the week that was, the first half of the season, and what's ahead for the Braves. Hoping to get their offense going for good to power a second-half surge, Atlanta will definitely have some decisions to make on the trade front.

Special guest Scott Braun of Foul Territory joins the how to chat about the All-Star festivities, MLB at the break and the trade deadline decisions looming for clubs across MLB. You'll also hear Braves director of scouting Ronit Shah' comments on Atlanta's first round pick, Cam Caminiti.

All of that and a trip around the big leagues on this edition of the show!

From The Diamond airs live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.