Welcome back to the second half of the race to October. Hope you all enjoyed the break, where the National League got blanked out by the American League, but, hey, it’s all in good fun, right?
Now we return to Truist Park, where the Atlanta Braves (55-40) will take on the Texas Rangers (49-47). Chris Sale (2.20 ERA) will be kicking things off for the Braves. As of right now, Sale has been the team’s ace and most consistent starter. Across his 17 games this season, he’s held nine wins and six losses, a 1.11 WHIP and 117 strikeouts.
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The problem when Sale is on the mound isn’t his execution. In fact, he’s one of the most anticipated pitchers in the rotation to get the job done on the defensive side. It’s the inconsistencies on offense that shake his win record. Add that to the fact that the Rangers’ offense has been hitting better against left-handed pitchers as of late, and we have a toss-up of a performance.
The plan is simple but true. Sale will need the offensive production to step up big time in this second half to set the tone early and break old habits.
Facing the Braves will be Rangers’ Cal Quantrill (3.11 ERA). Quantrill has mainly been used as a reliever this season, starting in two games with a 14% strikeout rate. He’s a solid arm, but not as consistent, and sometimes limited in his pitch count when things start going awry.
On paper, the Braves’ offense has what it takes to leave with a win tonight. But it’s just a matter of what version of themselves they decide to show up with coming out of the All-Star break.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, July 17, 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: BravesVision
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Los Bravos
