The Atlanta Braves head to Beantown for a two-game set with the Red Sox
By Austin Owens
The Atlanta Braves will wrap up a short road trip with a 2-game set against the Boston Red Sox. Coming off a series win and an off day on Monday, Atlanta should be well-rested and ready to go.
Charlie Morton (10-7, 3.36 ERA will start game 1 at Fenway Park. Morton is coming off an outing where he allowed 4 runs over 5.2 innings. In his previous start against the White Sox, he threw a 3-hit shutout across 7 innings. The type of outing Morton will have tonight facing the 53-47 Red Sox is a flip of the coin.
Boston has yet to name their starting pitcher for tonight's contest. UPDATE: John Schreiber was announced as the starter for Boston during tonight's game. He has a 2.12 ERA through 17 innings pitched in 2023.
What to Watch For:
1. Braves Offense
We all know how good the Braves' offense has been this year. They are 30 games above .500 because of the power-stacked lineup Brian Snitker fills out every night. Pitching has been great through stretches, but the long ball has been their bread and butter.
Atlanta's last 5 games have been decided by two runs or less. They have a 3-2 record over that span. By no means has the offense been struggling heavily, they just haven't been the first-half Braves. After three series since the break, look for the Braves offense to get back to putting up crooked numbers and giving their pitchers comfortable leads to work with.
2. Braves Bullpen
Bullpen arms for Atlanta have been a little shaky over the last week or so. Even scoreless outings for Braves' relievers have not been clean ones. If you play with fire long enough, you will get burnt. Alex Anthopolus seems to have noticed and spent the off day acquiring two relievers, Pierce Johnson and Taylor Hearn.
Daysbel Hernandez had a great outing in his MLB debut where he struck out 3 batters and did not allow a run. If he can continue to pitch like that, adding him to the bullpen could serve as a deadline acquisition.
Look for everyone in the bullpen to be well-rested and ready to show why they can be trusted during a playoff push.
3. Adam Duvall?
After two separate stints in Atlanta, rumors are heating up that Adam Duvall once again could join the Braves. If the front office is serious about pursuing Duvall, it won't be his performance they are concerned with.
Alex Anthopolus knows what Duvall is capable of, regardless of his numbers. The Braves may be taking a peek to make sure he is completely healthy and can make the contribution they are looking for before an offer is in place. He has only appeared in 39 games this season due to injury.
Pitching Matchup:
Charlie Morton (10-7, 3.36 ERA) vs. TBA
Game Info:
Where and when: Fenway Park in Boston, MA at 7:10 PM EST
TV: Bally Sports South
Radio: 680 The Fan/93.7FM (WCNN)