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The Real Reason the Braves Are Giving a Rookie the Final Start of the Season
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- The Real Reason the Braves Are Giving a Rookie the Final Start of the Season
The Atlanta Braves are taking a different approach to their final regular-season games, and Walt Weiss has already mapped out the pitching plan.
After Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins , Weiss confirmed that Atlanta will use a bullpen game Saturday. The Braves will then hand the ball to rookie right-hander JR Ritchie for Sunday's regular-season finale.
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The plan gives Atlanta an opportunity to manage its pitching staff while also getting another look at Ritchie before the postseason begins.
Ritchie has made 16 appearances this season, including 10 starts. He enters Sunday with a 1-4 record and a 4.79 ERA across 67.2 innings, along with 66 strikeouts.
The 23-year-old is coming off one of his better outings of the season. He allowed one earned run across five innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday while striking out a career-high eight batters.
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Weiss explained that the final weekend is about balancing appearances and rest rather than simply following a traditional rotation. Saturday's bullpen game will help determine how Sunday's pitching staff is used.
The Braves have dealt with significant rotation injuries throughout the season, including Reynaldo López , who was placed on the injured list earlier this month. Ritchie has already been used as a starter to help cover those innings.
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22)David Butler II-Imagn Images
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Atlanta has also secured its place in the postseason, giving Weiss more flexibility with the final games. The manager has indicated that the club wants to use this stretch to examine different pitching possibilities before October.
For Ritchie, Sunday provides another chance to finish his regular season on a positive note. For the Braves, it is one final opportunity to organize their pitching staff before the games begin to matter again.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
