CRAIG’S COMMENTS: Discussing Tuesday’s home run explosion, Michael King, Luis Rengifo, Luis Campusano and progress for Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove and Samad Taylor

Luis Campusano at Truist Park

Stammen opened Wednesday’s pregame media session talking about Tuesday night’s offensive explosion:

“It’s great when our great players show what they can do and the talent that they have,” Stammen began. “It shows that we have a chance, right? It shows that what we were talking about being patient with these guys and then having them find a way to get hot could eventually take our season in another direction.

“So that’s why we loved to see what happened last night and, hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come. Hopefully, we’ve all had enough experience in baseball that we believe anything can happen. And we’ve see just about anything happen. That’s the beauty of the game.”

Stammen on Wednesday’s starter Michael King:

“I think Michael’s facing an opponent in Atlanta that he likes to face,” said Stammen. “I think that’s a good feeling. Michael has had a few good starts here of late. He’s been pitching well and finding his stuff. He’s our best starting pitcher right now. So, we’re excited when he’s on the mound.”

Stammen on Luis Rengifo:

“He’s impressed,” said Stammen. “And tonight has a lot to do with Atlanta starting a left-handed pitcher. From the two sides he hits from, he’s a better right-handed hitter. So, putting him at the top of the lineup facing a left-handed pitcher gives us someone who can move the baseball, bunt if we have to … playing the game of baseball similar to what Jake (Cronenworth) did last night against a right-handed pitcher.

“We’ve got some coaches who were familiar with Rengifo when he played with the Angels and played against him when he was with the Brewers. Specifically, from what I’ve seen from him, he’s very energetic. He’s always smiling. He’s someone you like being around. He gives that energy. When you get him on the field, he’s a little bit of a hit collector here of late. Those base hits are kind of what we’re looking for to get things started and get things going. He’s been part of a lot of our big rallies.

“Luis played good against us when he was with the Brewers. I remember he had a bunch of hits while batting left-handed in the games that he played against us. I’ve only seen him hit. I don’t know about the days that he doesn’t hit. I’m sure for everybody, there are days when they don’t hit. Nobody hits a thousand. We’ve seen a lot of good stuff from him so far and I’m hoping that continues.”

Stammen on Luis Campusano:

“I think Luis probably circles this Atlanta trip every single year,” said Stammen. “For me, being from Ohio, the Cincinnati trip every single year, it was always exciting to go back to a familiar place. Atlanta is probably a place where Campusano came and watched baseball games with his family. It’s probably where he dreamed of playing his entire life.

“To be able to come home and be in your home state. The air smells the same. There’s a lot of good positive vibes of playing close to your hometown. The days in the Major Leagues that you don’t forget are those kinds of days.

“Campusano has been great this season. He’s been a great player for us his entire career. He was a top prospect for us in the minor leagues for a long time. And now I think he’s finally finding his footing in the Major Leagues. He’s our №1 catcher right now. He’s the offense behind the plate that we haven’t had for a few seasons. He’s providing that right now and he’s doing a real good job with our pitching staff. All the arrows are pointing up for Luis Campusano.”

Stammen said Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove will both next throw on Friday. “They’re sort of on the same schedule. Friday will be important days for both those guys, not having to take a step backward.”

Stammen on Samad Taylor’s schedule with the oblique strain:

“I think the extent of it is a normal oblique strain,” said Stammen. “It was a minor strain. It’s not like one that will take him out for the rest of the year. Hopefully, after four to six weeks he’ll be back.”