Braves secure NL East title with sweep of Astros

HOUSTON -- Braves manager Walt Weiss reminded his players that preseason prognosticators weren’t optimistic about their chances this year. It was fitting for the underdog Martin Pérez to start the game that clinched Atlanta’s latest division crown. Pérez, a non-roster invitee who was designated for assignment on April 12, found himself in an unexpected situation on Sunday afternoon, helping the Braves clinch the National League East with a 4-2 win over the Astros at Daikin Park.

After the game, Pérez celebrated Atlanta’s seventh division title within the last nine years. His determined effort allowed another unsung hero, Mike Yastrzemski, to hit the game-winning three-run homer in the sixth inning. “We’ve been fighting all year to get to this moment with this group of good guys and good coaches,” Pérez said. “I mean, everything is good. And we're not done yet.”

Yastrzemski homered three times during this 4-2 road trip, enabling Atlanta to focus on the postseason during the final six games of the regular season. Currently, the Braves will be the NL’s No. 3 seed, likely facing either the Padres, Cubs, or division-rival Phillies in the Wild Card Series.

“You’ve got to get in [the postseason] and then you take your best shot,” Weiss stated. “During this three-game series sweep, I really felt like we took it to another level. I think we’ve got to keep our foot on the gas.”

Adding to the underdog theme was the impressive performance by Victor Mederos, who relieved Pérez with one out and the bases loaded in the fifth. Mederos struck out Jose Altuve and induced Yainer Diaz’s inning-ending groundout, showing poise despite spending nearly the entire first three months of the season at the Triple-A level. The 25-year-old had totaled only 12 big-league appearances before this season but has become a vital bullpen piece in the latter half of the season.

Since the beginning of divisional play in 1969, the Braves, along with the Dodgers, lead all major league teams with 24 division titles. “Sometimes it's not best to be the favorite, because it comes with a lot of expectations,” Braves center fielder Michael Harris II said. “We just kept our head down and kept working. Now, we're in the position we wanted to be.”

Skepticism surrounded the Braves entering Spring Training, and things became more challenging when starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep, and Joey Wentz all sustained injuries. Atlanta also lost projected left fielder/designated hitter Jurickson Profar to a second performance-enhancing drug suspension before the season began.

“All of that created some opportunities for some guys, and they thrived,” Weiss noted. “The guys that stepped up really created some great stories.”

Despite concerns about the starting rotation depth throughout the season, the Braves managed well thanks to Pérez’s performance, posting a 3.04 ERA in 30 starts, and the acquisition of Tyler Mahle, who has put up a 1.28 ERA in his eight starts since joining the team from the Giants. On Sunday, Mahle enjoyed his first division-winning celebration. “This took six months to make,” ace Chris Sale said. “So, every time you get to this moment, you’ve got to stop and enjoy where you’re at and who you’re doing it with. These never get old.”

Pérez, along with other contributors like Mauricio Dubón, who provided valuable defensive versatility, set the stage for a strong postseason ahead. The Braves boast significant star power with Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and Sale, but opportunities for unexpected stars like AJ Smith-Shawver to shine are anticipated. Smith-Shawver, despite challenges as a starter recently, showcased promise with a fastball touching 100.5 mph and recorded four strikeouts over two scoreless innings on Sunday.

Weiss has emerged as a strong NL Manager of the Year candidate in his first season as Atlanta’s skipper, proving to be the right person for the job amid fluctuating expectations. "When we faced our biggest challenges this year, that's when we've been at our best," Weiss noted. "All the tough stretches have turned into moments where we excelled, and that’s become part of our identity."