Matt Olson ties Braves franchise record in Pirates finale
Matt Olson ties the Atlanta Braves franchise record for consecutive games played Thursday in Pittsburgh. Batting third at first base, Olson appears in his 740th straight Braves game—equaling Dale Murphy's mark—during the Braves' series finale against the Pirates at 12:35 p.m. ET.
The milestone lands in a Thursday afternoon rubber match at PNC Park, where Atlanta sends Bryce Elder against Mitch Keller. Olson has not missed a Braves game since arriving ahead of the 2022 season, and Thursday's lineup keeps the top five hitters unchanged from Wednesday's 3-0 win.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Olson plays his 740th consecutive Braves game, tying Dale Murphy's franchise record.
- The Braves-Pirates finale starts at 12:35 p.m. ET with Bryce Elder (5-6, 4.01 ERA) facing Mitch Keller (6-6, 5.02 ERA).
- Atlanta has lost four straight rubber matches and looks to win the series before the All-Star break.
- Local radio coverage includes KDKA AM/FM and Sportsnet Pittsburgh; see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub for more viewing options.
- Five Braves starters have hit .340 (35-for-103) collectively against Keller in their careers.
What record did Matt Olson tie against the Pirates?
Olson's 740th consecutive appearance as a Brave matches Dale Murphy's franchise mark for most consecutive games played. He bats third and plays first base in a lineup that otherwise sees only minor tweaks: Drake Baldwin returns at catcher, Dominic Smith moves to designated hitter, and Jim Jarvis replaces Jorge Mateo at shortstop.
Since joining Atlanta before the 2022 season, Olson has played every Braves game on his ledger. Battery Power notes that while the lineup shuffle is small, the streak itself is the headline non-change in Thursday's order.
How can you watch Braves vs. Pirates on Thursday?
The series finale is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. ET at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Yahoo Sports lists KDKA AM/FM and Sportsnet Pittsburgh as the local broadcast outlets for the matchup.
For fans tracking where to follow MLB action on TV and radio, our Streaming & TV Alerts category rounds up viewing and listening options as the first half winds down.
Who is starting for Atlanta and Pittsburgh?
Bryce Elder (5-6, 4.01 ERA) returns for Atlanta after 12 days off and a rotation skip. He last pitched June 27, allowing five earned runs in four innings against San Francisco. Pittsburgh counters with Mitch Keller (6-6, 5.02 ERA), who has worked six innings in each of his last three starts and may be stretched in his likely final outing before the break.
Historically, Atlanta has hit Keller hard. Olson is 8-for-15 (.533) with a homer, double, and RBI against him. Austin Riley is 5-for-12 (.417) with a double, triple, and five RBIs, while Mauricio Dubón is 6-for-13 (.462) with two doubles, a homer, and three RBIs.
Pittsburgh's lineup shifts Ryan O'Hearn to DH, restores Tyler Callihan at first base, and starts Rafael Flores Jr. at catcher. The Pirates are a combined 4-for-37 (.108) against Elder, with Bryan Reynolds 2-for-11 (.182).
What's at stake in the Braves' series finale?
Atlanta enters with only four games left before the All-Star break and a four-game skid in rubber matches. Yahoo Sports frames Thursday as a chance to snap that trend and leave Pittsburgh with a series win.
Elder has not been at his 2023 All-Star peak lately, but the Braves hope the rest helps him stabilize. Keller gave up five earned runs over six innings against Washington on July 3. On paper, Atlanta's bats have the edge, yet Battery Power cautions Elder has struggled over the past month.
For full game notes and lineups, see Battery Power's preview.