Game: Atlanta Braves @ Cleveland Guardians
Time: 7:10 p.m.
Odds: Braves -165, Guardians +140
Total: 10
In his 23 years as a baseball manager, Terry Francona has seen a lot, but he is getting tired of staring at the Atlanta Braves’ batting order. Cleveland pulled off the upset last night 6-5 in 10 innings, but Francona knows tonight he’ll have to face it again. Atlanta’s nine-game winning streak ended last night, but a new one could start tonight.
On Monday, the Braves defeated the Guardians 4-2 to start the series, and last night, they fielded a lineup that included six players with at least 40 RBIs. The other three batters who have fewer than 40 RBIs have all missed a sizable amount of action because of injuries.
Despite having a lineup that ranks last in the league with only 56 home runs, Francona’s tenacious Guardians are one game under .500 and competing for the American League Central lead. In contrast, the Braves have hit 58 home runs in just their last 22 games. With 163 homers, Atlanta is on pace to challenge the Minnesota Twins’ MLB record of 307 home runs in a season from 2019. Braves pitchers have only allowed 91 home runs all season.
The entire Atlanta infield will represent the Braves at his year’s MLB All-Star game. Orlando Arcia at shortstop, Matt Olson at first base, Ozzie Albies at second base, and Austin Riley at third base will play on July 11 in Seattle.
Both teams will send pitchers to the mound tonight which could result in more fireworks. The Braves will start right-hander Mike Soroka (1-1, 6.89 ERA), who missed the previous two seasons due to Achilles tendon injuries. In his most recent comeback attempt, he made three starts this year and has allowed five home runs in 15.2 innings.
Soroka did better in his previous start, going six innings and recording seven strikeouts in a 16-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. He took the win after allowing three earned runs. In the four years that Soroka has pitched in the majors, he has never faced Cleveland.
Cleveland right-hander Cal Quantrill (2-5, 6.18), hasn’t given up as many homers – allowing only seven – but he has a penchant for giving up runs. In his last three starts overall, Quantrill has allowed 20 ER. In his two starts against Atlanta, Quantrill has done well, allowing just two earned runs over 11.2 innings for a 1.54 ERA.
On June 2, Quantrill was placed on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. On June 30, he only managed to complete 3.1 innings while facing the Chicago Cubs. He gave up eight hits and six runs.
Atlanta has now won 24 of its last 28 games. They are 6-1 in their last seven against the American League. Cleveland is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games and 9-4 SU in its last 13 at home.
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