The Atlanta Braves (6-3) will host the San Diego Padres (4-5) on Sunday in the final game of the four-game series. The Braves took the opener 7-6 on Thursday, but Padres won 5-4 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday.
**This preview was written before the completion of Saturday's game.**
The Padres have high expectations coming into the season with an over/under win total of 93.5 according to Vegas Insider. Through the first eight games, the Padres are 18th in MLB averaging 4.5 runs per game, and 11th with 1.4 home runs per game. Xander Bogaerts, who was the biggest offseason acquisition leads the team with .333 batting average with three home runs and eight RBI. On Saturday the Padres put up four runs and eight hits, but were only 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Juan Soto hit his second home run of the season to get the scoring started in the first inning, and the Padres picked up two runs by way of fielder's choices in the top of the 4th.
Xander Bogaerts joined @SportsCenter today to talk @Padres baseball. pic.twitter.com/ykV8lEHKHM
— MLB (@MLB) April 8, 2023
The Padres are scheduled to start Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.29 ERA) on Sunday. In his first start this season Lugo only allowed one run in seven innings in a 3-1 home victory against the Rockies. Last season Lugo made 62 relief appearances and sent 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. The San Diego bullpen has struggled early ranking 23rd with a 4.97 ERA after eight games.