The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins continue their three-game series between division leaders on Tuesday night. The Twins took the opener of the series, 5-3, on Miguel Sano’s pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.
Back In The Saddle
The Braves are currently in first place in the NL East, as they are having a very solid season this year and are looking forward to making a deep run in October. Atlanta has been lucky enough to have a very short injured list and will look to gain steam and build a bigger lead in their division in the month of August.
Scheduled to start in this game for the Braves is right-hander Mike Foltynewicz. The 27-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Monday after the Reds claimed Kevin Gausman off waivers. This will be Foltynewicz’s first start since June 22. The former All-Star struggled in his first 11 games this season, going 2-5 with a 6.37 ERA and 50 strikeouts. However, in Triple-A, he posted a 2.67 ERA and did not allow any home runs. Foltynewicz will hope to continue that kind of success with this call-up.
The Braves are batting .262 as a team this season with 176 home runs. Leading the team in home runs in their star centerfielder, Ronald Acuna Jr. with 27, to go with a .289 batting average and 70 runs batted in. Atlanta’s veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman is leading the team with a .301 batting average as well as 86 runs batted in.
Keeping Ahead
The Minnesota Twins are also a first-place team, as they are leading the AL Central, ahead of the Cleveland Indians. The Twins are in Minnesota for this series where they are 35-21 this season. The Twins have been very solid this season and are another team who will try to gain momentum and build a big lead in the final months of the season.
Jose Berrios is scheduled to start against the Braves in this matchup. He is now 10-5 this season after allowing just two hits through seven scoreless innings to take the win against the Marlins on Wednesday. Berrios leads the Twins with a 2.80 ERA and 133 strikeouts. Only Jake Odorizzi has more wins this season on the team.
Minnesota has been getting help from their entire lineup on offense. They are led in home runs by Nelson Cruz with 30, as he also carries a .292 batting average with 72 runs batted in. Shortstop Jorge Polanco leads the team in batting average with .299 to go with his 17 home runs and 55 RBI. Max Kepler is the team’s current RBI leader with 76, and he is tied with Cruz with 30 home runs and has a .266 batting average.
What To Expect
This is a game between two first-place teams from opposite sides of the league. Each team has dangerous players from top to bottom in their lineup. I think this game is going to be decided by which team gets better pitching, so with Minnesota having Berrios on the mound and being at home, I will take the Twins to edge out the Braves in this one.
