Key Takeaways: Rangers defeat the Braves in the series finale on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN

The Atlanta Braves dropped the series finale to the Texas Rangers 6-4 in Truist Park to win the series, but not complete the sweep. They’re now 5-1 against teams from Texas this season, having swept the Houston Astros last week – with a win tonight, Atlanta would have completed their first-ever single season sweep of a state that has multiple MLB teams.

The righty opened by throwing almost entirely changeups and fastballs, throwing just two breaking balls through the first two innings. But he gave up two home runs in this one, and both came off of changeups – Evan Carter took a middle-away change for a solo shot, and then catcher Andrew Knizner ambushed a first-pitch changeup at the very top of the zone for a three-run homer in the third inning to stake Texas to a 4-3 lead.

For the game, Vines finished with four runs allowed on seven hits, striking out two and not walking any in his five innings. He threw 74 pitches (59 for strikes), getting only six whiffs on 38 swings and putting up a below-average 23% CSW.

What’s going on with Matt Olson?

First baseman Matt Olson, who led all of baseball with 54 homers last season (setting a new Braves single-season record), is on the struggle bus right now.

Striking out four times tonight, Olson’s currently 1-20 in his last six games and is 8-45 with 17 strikeouts (and no homers) in his last twelve games.

We saw this come up early last season, as well – across the first 68 games of the season, all in the #2 hole, Olson batted only .228 with 92 strikeouts. His production really took off when he moved to the cleanup spot last season (.328/.425/.691 w/ 32 HRs and 86 RBIs in 85 games), but he’s already batting cleanup this season. Just something to watch.