The Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays will play Saturday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is at 3:07 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays are -120 moneyline favorites and the game total is 9.5.
Atlanta (25-12 SU and 17-20 RL) will turn to right-hander Bryce Elder on Saturday in Canada. The 23-year-old, who is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 2023, is starting his eighth game of the season.
Toronto (21-16 SU and 19-18 RL) will counter with righty José Berríos tomorrow at Rogers Centre. The eight-year veteran is 3-3 with a 4.91 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2023.
Atlanta won three of five against AL East foes Baltimore and Boston, holding onto its significant lead in the NL East. Thirteen games over .500, the Braves appear to be legitimate World Series contenders again this year.
Atlanta averages 5.38 runs per contest (5th) and hits .262 (7th) with a .804 OPS (2nd). It's launched 60 home runs (3rd) and stolen 27 bases (13th) this year. The Braves pitching staff has posted a 3.52 ERA (6th) and a 1.24 WHIP (10th) with 13 quality starts.
470 feet ??@ronaldacunajr24 | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/HpJO0FTAP3
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 11, 2023
The youngster Elder gets the nod for Atlanta in Saturday's matinee game. He's lasted five-plus innings in all seven of his starts this season and has surrendered one run on seven hits in his last 12.1 innings. Despite walking four in his last outing, Elder boasts an impressive 36:13 K:BB ratio in 2023.