The Atlanta Braves have begun to turn their season around since a dismal start, culminating in a performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks that showcased both their offensive power and pitching struggles. After starting 0-7 and sitting at 5-13 by mid-April, the Braves found momentum, posting a 7-3 record following a series against the Diamondbacks. They secured two wins, including an impressive 8-2 victory, although they fell short in a closely contested 8-7 match where Eugenio Suárez of Arizona notably hit four home runs in four at-bats.

In the series finale, the Braves were unable to extend their win streak, despite a strong performance from Spencer Schwellenbach, who struck out six over six innings. Schwellenbach's recent outings have shown he is susceptible to giving up hits, which has been a concern. The Braves' offense was led by Alex Verdugo, who went 4-for-4 with two RBIs, reflecting his positive impact since joining the team. However, they faced disappointment as they could not complete the comeback, falling to the Diamondbacks 6-4.

In the latest MLB Lineup Lowdown, trends in player performance and roster changes are analyzed to identify potential undervalued or overvalued players. The Atlanta Braves called up Alex Verdugo, who is expected to lead off against right-handers until Ronald Acuña returns. Miami's Jesus Sanchez has returned from the IL and is showing promise, while teammate Eric Wagaman has solidified a spot in the lineup. On the Mets front, Jesse Winker and Starling Marte are splitting DH duties, but neither has impressed yet. Philadelphia's Bryson Stott has moved to leadoff, potentially boosting his fantasy value. The Nationals' Jacob Young is now a regular in center field, and the Cubs are making lineup adjustments after Matt Shaw's demotion. Keep an eye on these changes as they might impact fantasy roster decisions.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is vocal about the different treatment he perceives from Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker compared to that of Seattle Mariners' Jarred Kelenic, who was thrown out for not hustling. Acuña, recovering from a major injury, hinted through social media that if he had been in Kelenic's position, he would have faced more severe consequences. This criticism followed a similar incident in 2019 when Snitker removed Acuña from a game for not running out a hit.

As Acuña makes strides in his recovery, he could potentially return to the Braves' lineup soon. The current state of the Braves' offense, featuring new leadoff hitter Alex Verdugo who has quickly adapted, raises questions about Kelenic's future with the Mariners should he fail to improve his performance.

Alex Verdugo is on the verge of a significant MLB return after joining the Atlanta Braves as a minor league player, following a challenging offseason without team offers. Originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox and having spent time with the New York Yankees, Verdugo is now expected to fill the outfield void left by Jurickson Profar's suspension and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s injury. Although his Triple-A performance has been underwhelming, hitting .182 with two homers, the Braves' need for depth could buoy his chances for a major league comeback.

As the MLB season heats up, fantasy players should focus on strategic pickups and matchups. Alex Verdugo, recovering from recent struggles, has shown promise with a three-run homer in Triple-A, making his potential call-up to the Atlanta Braves highly anticipated. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto's impressive home performance against right-handed pitchers showcases his value, especially with the Dodgers' favorable matchup schedule this week. Don't overlook Miguel Andujar of the Oakland Athletics, who is also making waves with solid statistics against righties - he could be a game-changer for fantasy rosters. Lastly, Spencer Strider's return from elbow surgery is highly awaited, and his performance in the minors suggests a dominant season ahead. Keep an eye on Jason Adam from the Padres as he leads in holds and may soon secure regular save opportunities.