The Atlanta Braves, who suddenly have rediscovered their home run stroke, will go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
The Braves hit two homers on Friday in a 7-3 win and added four long balls on Saturday in a 9-2 victory. Marcell Ozuna homered in both games and leads the National League with 20 homers and 62 RBIs. Austin Riley also homered in both games after ending a career-long stretch of 90 homerless at-bats.
Tampa Bay pitchers continue to have trouble keeping the ball in the park. The Rays have allowed 97 homers, the most in the majors. Likewise, the Rays have hit the fewest homers in the American League (54).
“(The Braves) are just a bunch of good hitters. It was just a matter of time before they got going and unfortunately it happened when we’re in here,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “Offensively we’re just scuffling right now.”
The pitching matchup for the series finale features Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin (3-4, 4.06 ERA) against Atlanta rookie and fellow right-hander Hurston Waldrep (0-1, 17.18).
Eflin did not receive a decision in his most recent start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits, no walks and three strikeouts. It was his fifth straight start with three or fewer strikeouts.
Eflin has had a lot of success against the Braves in his career. He is 7-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 17 appearances (14 starts) against Atlanta. The seven victories, including one in 2023, are his most against an opponent.
Waldrep will be making his second major league start. He debuted on Sunday against the Washington Nationals and allowed seven runs on four hits, four walks and one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings. Waldrep, the team’s No. 1 draft choice in 2023, opened with three scoreless innings and tired in the fourth. His ERA took a pounding when he left the game with the bases loaded and reliever Aaron Bummer allowed a double that cleared the bases in the 8-5 loss.
“I thought his command was decent. I think it’s just a matter of knowing your opposition and things like that,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Like I say, second time through the lineup, it’s a little different. You know what, I think, too, these young guys, they come out, they make that first start and they expend a lot of energy, probably, warming up and (in) the first innings. It’s an atmosphere they’ve never experienced before.”
Tampa Bay’s Yandy Diaz went 1-for-4 with a walk and extended his streak of reaching base to 18 consecutive games on Saturday. Randy Arozarena hit his ninth homer on Saturday, ending a 26-game homerless streak.
The Rays continue to deal with an illness that has gone through the clubhouse. Jose Caballero left Friday’s game early and did not play on Saturday. Taylor Walls was not feeling well and did not play Saturday.
Atlanta signed veteran outfielder Ramon Laureano from Triple-A Gwinnett to fill the hole created when the Braves placed Michael Harris II on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Laureano started in right field and had a hit in his debut with the Braves.
–Field Level Media
