The most difficult series the Atlanta Braves will face this season is over. I doubt that anyone anticipated the Guardians to be on the other side of that assertion. But Cleveland has already shown itself to be among the greatest clubs in the American League in 2024.
With a pitching depth and an offensive that never goes away, they are comparable to the Braves. Due to outstanding pitching efforts by both teams, the final two games required extra innings to decide.
Atlanta will gladly accept a series victory over the club with the second-best record in baseball, even though they were one hit away from sweeping the series. It would be exciting and nerve-wracking if that series is the Braves’ possible World Series opponent. That’s everything a baseball playoff fan could ask for. The Braves had a great homestand, going 7-2 following games against the Rangers, Marlins, and Guardians. They will use this momentum to their advantage as they travel west to Seattle to play the talented Mariners club and then to the City of Angels to take on the hated Dodgers.
After being dealt to Atlanta throughout the summer, Jarred Kelenic will play for the first time in Seattle. Since he has so far been a pleasant surprise for the Braves, he will want to show them what they are losing out on.
Braves leave for a western road trip following a thrilling series against the best team in the AL
The Braves’ pitching has been quite good lately; in their last outings, every starter in the rotation pitched six or more innings. Notably, Chris Sale has pitched seven innings in three straight starts, while Max Fried threw a “Maddux” against the Marlins.
Reynaldo Lopez and Charlie Morton have also given them outstanding performances. The most recent addition to the group is Bryce Elder, who has performed admirably as the team’s fifth starter.
With an ERA of 3.72, Atlanta’s starting pitchers rank 10th in baseball, and they will face the Mariners, whose starting pitchers rank sixth with an ERA of 3.44. With a 3.46 ERA through 88.1 innings, which ranks them sixth in baseball, the Braves also have one of the greatest relief ERAs in the league.
If they want to win, the offensive must get to Seattle’s starters. With 87.1 innings pitched and a bullpen ERA of 2.47, Seattle claims the top spot. Although their rotation of pitchers is quite excellent, their offense is bit lackluster so far.
After 28 games, their team’s batting average is.219, with 29 home runs and 101 RBI. They are hitting.229 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI during their past ten games, indicating that they are beginning to get things together. Although their offensive performance has been a little lackluster overall, they do have some guys who can really step it up, such Mitch Haniger, Ty France, and Julio Rodriguez.
Conversely, Seattle faces a very aggressive Braves attack that leads the league in OPS (.801), team average (.277), home runs hit (29), and RBI (143). The Braves offense is frightening because they are producing all of this even though three of their best hitters are playing poorly.
Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Ronald Acuña Jr. are all having trouble getting things rolling. There’s no predicting how good this offense will be until they figure things out. Seattle will make every effort to prevent it from occurring throughout this series.
Braves versus. Mariners: Max Fried (2-0, 4.97 ERA) vs. Bryce Miller (3-2, 2.22 ERA), 9:40 p.m. EST, is likely to start Game 1.
Game 2: Luis Castillo (2-4, 4.15 ERA) vs. Reynaldo López (2-0, 0.72 ERA), 9:40 p.m. EST
Game 3: Emerson Hancock (3-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. Chris Sale (3-1, 3.69 ERA), 3:40 p.m. EST