Two of the early season’s toughest pitchers face off at Truist Park on Friday as Hunter Brown and the Houston Astros (9-10) take on Bryce Elder and the Atlanta Braves (14-5) for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Astros are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a six-game homestand (3-3).
They won two out of three in their last series against the Blue Jays, taking the finale 8-1 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park. Jeremy Pena was 1 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. The Braves are playing the first of seven games at home after concluding a successful six-game road trip (5-1).
They won two of three against the Padres in their last series, dropping the finale 1-0 on Wednesday at Petco Park. Sam Hilliard went 2 for 3.The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Braves won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Brown (2-0, 1.93 ERA) is set for the start for Houston. The righty allowed two runs (zero earned) over seven innings in his last start, an 8-2 road win over the Rangers on Saturday. He was credited with the win, giving up five hits while striking out five and walking one.
RHP Elder (2-0, 1.53 ERA) will take the mound for Atlanta. In his last start on Saturday, Elder got the win on the road against the Royals. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking two in the 9-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Houston offense is averaging 5.1 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .250/.330/.382. Kyle Tucker leads the team in OPS at .984. The center fielder is slashing .313/.438/.547 with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and seven runs over 19 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Elder this season, the ‘Stros have a .688 OPS. Tucker also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a 1.036 OPS in 43 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .263/.345/.443 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game.
Four Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Sean Murphy (1.031). The first baseman has four home runs, 14 RBIs, and 10 runs scored with a slash line of .259/.420/.611.
The Braves have a .761 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.251 OPS over 48 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Houston is 3-3 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Atlanta has won three in a row at home. The Braves are 4-3 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. The teams have split their last eight games head-to-head at Truist Park, though Houston has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.0-4.1.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
