NL East Leading Braves Face Young & Hungry Blue Jays
The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves are peaking at the right time as they prepare for the MLB playoffs. They’ll attempt to take that momentum into Toronto tonight when they face the Blue Jays. The Braves had an eight-game winning streak broken in Colorado yesterday on a walk-off homerun. They’ve pulled 5.5-games ahead of the Washington Nationals for the division lead.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), Sportsnet (Toronto); LINE: Braves -190; O/U: 9.5 Over -113.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Soroka (10-2, 2.41 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Wilmer Font (3-3; 4.48 ERA)
The Braves haven’t dropped a series in nine straight going into this one. The Jays have lost seven of their last eight games may be in tough as they look to get back on track. They are letting their future studs get plenty of playing time and experience.
All Bo Bichette has done since being promoted to the Toronto Blue Jays is hit. The 21-year-old shortstop damn sure is a chip off the old block, as his dad, Dante, was one of the most feared hitters in his day. He hopes to continue swinging a hot bat entering tonight’s opener of a two-game home series against the Braves. Bichette went 8-for-14 with four runs scored in a three-game series at Seattle last weekend. His 2-for-4 performance in Sunday’s loss gave him 15 multi-hit performances in his first 26 career games while batting .351 with 14 doubles and 14 RBI’s.
Bichette’s work at the plate has not been enough to reverse the Blue Jays recent struggles. Toronto finished 1-5 on its six-game west-coast road trip. To top it off they recorded their 26th outing this season scoring one run or fewer in the finale.
Now the Blue Jays host the National League East-leading Braves. They had an eight-game winning streak end Monday with a 3-1 loss in a makeup game at Colorado. The loss trimmed their division lead to 5-1/2 games over Washington. Newly-acquired catcher Francisco Cervelli finished 2-for-4 with a double. His first two games with the Braves he is 5-for-9 with three doubles and three RBI’s. Atlanta outfielder Matt Joyce snapped an 0-for-8 skid with two hits Monday. Atlanta finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base.
This, That, and a Dart Throw
It’ll be a homecoming of sorts for Braves’ starting pitcher Mike Soroka. The Calgary native has broken out for Atlanta this season with an impressive 2.41 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He’s amassed a 10-2 record through 23 games. He has become, not only, one of the Braves’ best pitchers this season but one of the best in all of Major League Baseball.
Soroka looks to continue building his case for rookie of the year and Cy Young consideration. He has amassed a 2.29 ERA with a .227 opponents batting average in his past six starts. The young budding super-star has not received a decision in any of those outings but has pitched seven innings four times in that span. His last start Thursday against the New York Mets when he gave up two runs, on five hits, with no walks and five strikeouts over seven innings. Soroka is third in the NL in ERA and eighth in WHIP, 1.08, makes his first career appearance against Toronto.
The Blue Jays will turn to opener Wilmer Font to hold the offensive-charged Braves for the first couple of innings. Font has been used in the opening role for the Jays since coming over from the New York Mets back in July. Font has had a good August. He has put together a 2.03 ERA over 13.1 innings pitched. The Jays will need a bit more from their offense if they hope to upset the favored Braves.
After Font leaves the mound, Toronto could use right-hander Jacob Waguespack (4-1, 3.63 ERA). He pitched seven, one-hit, shutout innings with one walk and five strikeouts against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Trent Thornton (4-8, 5.34) gave up four runs (three earned) in four innings Friday at Seattle. He has not pitched on three days rest this season and will be used only in a must situation.
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The Dart Throw: Braves 7, Blue Jays 2
Toronto Blue Jays Trends
- Trend Under is 5-2 in Blue Jays last 7 games as a home underdog of +110 to +150. Hit % 71.40% (7) O/U 2|5 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 6-2 in Blue Jays last 8 interleague games as a favorite of -201 or greater. 75.00% (8) 6|2 0
- Under is 3-1-1 in Blue Jays last 5 games as a favorite of -151 to -200. 75.00% (5) 1|3 1
- Over is 4-1 in Blue Jays last 5 games with the total set at 6.5 or lower. 80.00% (5) 4|1 0
Atlanta Braves Trends
- Trend Under is 5-0 in Braves last 5 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5. Hit % 100.00% (5) O/U 0|5 Push 0 W/L
- Under is 10-4 in Braves last 14 games with the total set at 6.5 or lower. 71.40% (14) 4|1 0
- Over is 24-9-2 in Braves last 35 games with the total set at 7.0-8.5. 72.70% (35) 24|9 2
- Under is 7-3 in Braves last 10 road games with the total set at 6.5 or lower. 70.00% (10) 3|7 0
Braves vs Blue Jays Meeting Trends
- Trend Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Toronto. Hit % 100.00% (4) O/U 4|0 Push 0 W/L
- Over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings. 87.50% (8) 7|1 0
- Braves are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Toronto. 80.00% (5) 0 4|1
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