Diamondbacks will need big game from offense to stave off Braves

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.

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.

"The main focus I have right now is how we can get this team going offensively," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "There's some guys that have been very proven, there's some guys that we're waiting to get going. We feel like it's a matter of time before that happens."

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.

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.

Albies had three hits on Friday to help Atlanta improve to 6-2.

"We're just having fun and being together as a team," Albies said.

Saturday's pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers as Atlanta's Bryce Elder (1-0, 0.00 ERA) faces Arizona's Michael Soroka (1-0, 0.00).

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

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.

"He was really good over the last four or five weeks of last season, probably one of our best," Braves manager Walt Weiss said. "Then he was throwing the ball well in spring training, and it has carried over."

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.

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.

Soroka also recorded the fourth immaculate inning in franchise history when he struck out three batters in the fifth inning on three pitches each.

"It was pretty special," Soroka said. "I think I've talked about not putting too much stock in results, but I think that's one that's worth celebrating."

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.

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.

"It's frustrating," Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said. "I'm sure he's 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're going to miss him. But we'll keep the train rolling until he comes back."

--Field Level Media