The calendar flipped to July, but that's done nothing to stop the rampaging Atlanta Braves from continuing their surge to the top of Major League Baseball.
For the third time this season, the Braves have won eight games in a row to maintain its growing lead over the rest of the NL East, now up to nine games ahead of the second-place Marlins.
Fresh off a dominant three-game of Miami, Atlanta is hitting the road for six games to close out the first half of the season, starting with three games in Cleveland against the Guardians.
What to Watch for in Monday's game
Elder's First Half Finale
Bryce Elder has put the baseball world on notice in 2023, delivering an incredible first half of pitching that landed him on the 2023 National League all-star team.
Some of his peripherals aren't the best (still giving up a lot of hard contact), but after 96 innings of work and a sub-2.50 ERA, you can't deny his importance to this team.
Elder's June began on a rough note after being tagged for nine earned runs in back-to-back starts, but since then he's allowed just three earned in his last 19 innings and struck out 14. He's thrived on the road this year, with a 1.43 ERA outside of Truist Park with no home runs allowed so far. He'll now face a Cleveland team that is dead last in home runs hit (55) in 2023.
Gavin the Guardian
Opposite Elder on Monday night, Cleveland will be sending its top-rated prospect to the mound.
Gavin Williams will make his third major league start after two strong outings against Kansas City and Oakland to begin his career with the Guardians. Only a slight increase in difficulty with the Braves coming to town.
Williams has made 12 starts across two levels of the minors this year, posting a 2.39 ERA with 81 strikeouts.
As always, facing any pitcher for the first time will include a feeling out process, so don't be shocked if the Braves aren't rolling up a few runs in the first inning. Although, considering how this team has looked during this win streak, it's more of a shock now if Atlanta isn't on the scoreboard after the opening frame.
Going Streaking
in the midst of the Braves eight-game winning streak, Ronald Acuña Jr. has continued to remain atop the MVP conversation by ripping off a 13-game hitting streak, currently the second longest in MLB. In that span, he's hitting .385 with six home runs and nine stolen bases.
Not far behind him, Marcell Ozuna has quietly put together a 12-game hitting streak, raising his season batting average over .250.
Just two pieces of what has become the most dangerous offense in baseball.