Dangerous offenses are dueling north of the border this weekend, beginning on Friday night. The Atlanta Braves (25-12) are the team journeying to Canada this time around, with the Toronto Blue Jays (21-16) waiting as always. Both clubs have started strong and are eyeing deep playoff runs this October. Their journeys continue in Rogers Centre, with a 7:07 p.m. EDT first pitch to get the party started. We could learn a lot about these clubs over the weekend.
A loss to the Red Sox wasn't how the Braves wanted to depart their home park, but that's where things stand entering the weekend. Atlanta can at least take solace in their active string of 15 games without consecutive losses. The Braves are 11-4 in that stretch, as they've raced out to the NL's top record and run differential this season. An offense that's fifth in runs per game is leading the charge, carried by the third-most home runs in the league. The top four batters in Atlanta's everyday lineup have combined for 33 homers and 101 RBIs already. Ozzie Albies has added nine long balls of his own. Atlanta is also sixth in walk rate and 27-31 (87.1%) stealing bases. There isn't much that the Braves position players aren't doing well.
470 feet ??@ronaldacunajr24 | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/HpJO0FTAP3
— Atlanta Braves (@Bra ves) May 11, 2023
Don't sleep on Atlanta's pitching staff either, which began this trip sixth in team ERA. The Braves rotation is arguably the best in majors, and Spencer Strider is an integral part of that. Atlanta is 7-0 in games he's started this season, and he's held opponents scoreless in three of his starts. There isn't a qualified pitcher in the majors with a higher strikeout rate than Strider's 42.4%. He's been dominant, with a 0.925 WHIP, and looking to extend that. After Strider will enter a bullpen that's quietly been among the best in the big leagues in 2023.