The San Diego Padres are looking to sweep the Atlanta Braves in their series on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, California. The game is set to start at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Padres come into this matchup with a perfect 3-0 record after clinching a series victory against the Braves with a narrow 1-0 win on Saturday night. Randy Vasquez, who stepped in as the #3 starter in place of the injured Yu Darvish, delivered an impressive performance, throwing 6.0 shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and struck out three batters, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure.
Despite facing some challenges, including four walks, Vasquez managed to escape tight situations, thanks in part to his defense. Notably, Fernando Tatis Jr. made a spectacular defensive play in the sixth inning, preventing a potential home run from Matt Olson. Tatis' effort exemplified the kind of teamwork that has characterized the Padres' strong start to the season.
On the other side of the mound, Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach matched Vasquez inning for inning, also pitching 6.0 shutout innings with only one hit allowed. However, the Braves' offense struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, unable to score against the Padres' solid pitching.
The only run of the game came in the seventh inning when Jake Cronenworth hit a liner that deflected off the pitcher, Aaron Bummer, resulting in an automatic double. This set the stage for veteran Yuli Gurriel, who came through with a pinch-hit RBI single that brought Cronenworth home, securing the win for the Padres.
As the Padres look to extend their winning streak, they will turn to Nick Pivetta for his season debut. Pivetta, who had a rough previous season with a 6-12 record and a 4.14 ERA, will be looking to turn things around against a formidable Braves lineup. The Braves will counter with A.J. Smith-Shawver, a promising 22-year-old right-hander who has yet to allow a run this season.
One concern for the Padres is the status of third baseman Manny Machado, who left Saturday's game with a cramp in his right calf after an at-bat. Fortunately, Machado has expressed optimism about his condition, stating, "I think Shildty did the right thing there, kind of just taking me out and precautionary stuff and not letting it maybe be something worse. It was just a little cramp. I’ve felt stuff like that before. It’s not a big deal. It’s nothing too concerning, for sure." His manager, Mike Shildt, echoed this sentiment, noting that the decision to remove Machado was precautionary.
With the potential for a series sweep on the line, the atmosphere at Petco Park is sure to be electric. Fans are eager to see if the Padres can maintain their early-season momentum against a Braves team that, despite their current struggles, is always a threat with their powerful lineup.
As the Padres prepare for the final game of the series, they will look to build on their strong pitching and timely hitting. The Braves, on the other hand, will aim to turn their fortunes around and avoid a disappointing start to the season.
In summary, the Padres are poised to sweep the Braves in what promises to be an exciting matchup on Sunday Night Baseball. With both teams having showcased strong pitching performances in the series thus far, it will be interesting to see if the Padres can continue their winning ways or if the Braves will fight back to claim their first victory of the season.
