George Kirby, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, leads the Seattle Mariners (22-23) into Truist Park on Sunday as they match up against the Atlanta Braves (28-17) with the three-game Interleague series knotted at 1-1. The Mariners evened the series 1-1 after winning 7-3 on Saturday. Logan Gilbert went six innings for the win, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out nine.
Eugenio Suarez was 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs in the win. Matt Olson went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Braves. He drove in two runs.
ON THE MOUND
Kirby (5-2, 2.62 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Seattle. The righty is tied for fourth in the AL in wins. Kirby allowed one run over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 10-1 road win over the Red Sox on Monday.
He earned the win, scattering eight hits while striking out six and walking one.Kirby is making his first appearance against the Braves this season.
Kirby made one start against the Braves in 2022, a 3-1 home victory on September 10. He surrendered one run on three hits over six innings, striking out six.
Left-hander Jared Shuster (0-2, 8.31 ERA) is on the mound for Atlanta. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mariners. In his last start on Tuesday, Shuster took the loss on the road against the Rangers. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on three hits, striking out three and walking two in the 7-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.4. Against southpaws like Shuster this season, the M’s have a .660 OPS, fourth lowest in the league.
Jarred Kelenic is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a .954 OPS in 37 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.3 for the season.
The Braves have a .732 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .619 slugging percentage over 125 at-bats, Olson has been their best power hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is 12-11 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Atlanta has gone 11-10 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. Seattle is 3-2 in five games between the teams at Truist Park with an average scoreline of 4.8-4.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, six games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Marlins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-115)
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