The Boston Red Sox play host to the Atlanta Braves in the opener of the mid-week series between AL East and NL East foes from Fenway Park. Though both teams started the season with World Series aspirations, only the Braves have been able to follow through on those up to this moment, with Boston looking to change the tides. The first two-game series between the two back in May saw a split in Atlanta, while this one expects to be a competitive match up yet again between two fan favorites.
While the Braves spent much of the last few weeks getting closer and closer to New York in the standings, this past weekend saw them lose much of that ground. A unique five-game series saw the Mets take four of those, setting the Braves back in the NL East standings and putting some doubt on their ability to take the top Wild Card spot. Suddenly, the Braves sit seven games behind New York and as they continue their road trip, taking down Boston could prove to be challenging in itself. Atlanta does have a record over .500 on the road this season and while they won't be daunted, nothing will be promised in the opener.
The injuries have also continued to mount for this group of late, especially positionally. Ozzie Albiues (foot) remains out, as does Adam Duvall (wrist), while Travis d'Arnaud (leg) is a game-time decision. Adding that to three relievers being out only adds to the woes this week.
Acuna was scratched from today's lineup because of lower body soreness. The Braves didn't want him playing on the wet turf. He's available off the bench.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 7, 2022
According to MLB.com, Charlie Morton will take the mound for the Braves as one of the National League's most experienced arms aims to set the tone. A former Ray, he has plenty of experience against Boston and brings a 5-5 record and 4.09 ERA into this one. Coming off a shutout last time out and shutouts in two of his last three starts, he could be finding his stride at the perfect time.
Offensively, the Braves have one of baseball's most dangerous lineups and could put the pressure on Boston, even as the rod team. They rank in the top ten in baseball in runs, OPS, and home runs, while sitting just outside on average. Having one of baseball's worst strikeout rates is far from ideal but against Boston's set of arms, it's unlikely to haunt them. Over the last week, they've struggled to find a standout hitter but with the depth if this lineup, even despite the injuries, they shouldn't have any issues finding som e success in this one.