The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for a swift journey out West, and they’re entrusting their ace pitcher to set the tone as they face off against the Seattle Mariners. Max Fried’s recent stellar performance has undoubtedly set a high bar for the Braves’ rotation, especially after his impressive complete game shutout against the Marlins. Now, he faces the daunting challenge of surpassing his own outstanding display on the mound.
However, Fried will be confronting a Mariners offense that has yet to hit its stride this season. While they may be outperforming the struggling Marlins, the Mariners’ batting lineup hasn’t been particularly dominant. With a team batting line of .219/.298/.356 and relatively modest team statistics like a wOBA of .295 and a wRC+ of 95, Seattle’s offensive prowess hasn’t been consistent. Although players like Josh Rojas and Cal Raleigh have shown promise at the plate, the overall offensive output hasn’t been enough to propel the Mariners beyond a modest two-game lead in the AL West standings, despite winning nine of their last twelve games.
On the other hand, Seattle’s strength lies in its pitching staff, which boasts the sixth-best ERA- (84) and FIP- (91) in the league. Both the rotation and bullpen have contributed to this success, with standout performances from starters like Bryce Miller. While Miller has demonstrated his ability to stifle opposing lineups, he’s not immune to giving up home runs, having surrendered five already this season, including two in his recent outing against the Rangers. Facing an offense as potent as the Braves’, Miller will need to be at his best to keep them in check.
Despite the challenges posed by Miller and the Mariners, the Braves remain poised for a competitive matchup. While they didn’t manage to hit any home runs off Miller in their previous encounter, they did score three runs against him. Expectations are high for an intriguing and possibly unpredictable game tonight, given the history of engaging contests between the Braves and Mariners in recent seasons, particularly during their clashes in Seattle last year. While a straightforward victory would be ideal for the Braves to kick off their road trip, the unpredictable nature of baseball suggests that tonight’s game could deliver its fair share of excitement and surprises.