The Atlanta Braves (27-16), one of the best offenses in the league, are set to host the Seattle Mariners (21-22) at Truist Park on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Mariners are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip.
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 12-3 on Wednesday at Fenway Park. Sam Haggerty was 1 for 1 with a double and one run.
The Braves are back home for a 10-game homestand after returning from a rough six-game road trip (2-4). They won two of three against the Rangers in their last series, taking the finale 6-5 on Wednesday at Globe Life Field.
Orlando Arcia went 1 for 3 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Mariners won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Bryce Miller (2-0, 0.47 ERA) is in line for the start for Seattle. The RHP threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-0 road win over the Tigers on Saturday. He earned the win, giving up three hits while striking out three.
For Atlanta, righty Bryce Elder (3-0, 1.94 ERA) will toe the rubber. In his last start on Saturday, Elder took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays.
He threw five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one in the 5-2 loss. The RHP is tied for second in the NL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The Seattle offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .227/.308/.378. Jarred Kelenic leads the team in OPS at .870. The center fielder is slashing .282/.333/.537 with eight home runs, 21 RBIs, and 19 runs over 41 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Elder this season, the M’s have a .691 OPS. Kelenic also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .843 OPS in 112 at-bats.
Atlanta is slashing .257/.337/.465 for the season and averaging 5.3 runs per game, fifth best in the league. Four Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (1.050).
The right fielder has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 40 runs scored with a slash line of .345/.437/.613. The Braves have a .734 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.048 OPS over 121 at-bats, Acuna Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 11-10 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Atlanta has gone 10-9 at Truist Park this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. Seattle is 2-1 in three games at Truist Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.0-5.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, five games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Braves lead the NL East by five games over the Marlins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
