August 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves middle fielder Jared Kelenic (24) hits a house run within the ninth inning in opposition to the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park . Necessary Credit score: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports activities After taking good care of enterprise in San Francisco, the Atlanta Braves will full a victory tour of a three-game collection in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night time in Anaheim, California.
The Braves have received three of 4 video games in San Francisco, transferring two video games forward of the New York Mets within the multi-team race for the Nationwide League’s remaining wild-card spot.
Atlanta coach Brian Snitker is much less involved about Thursday’s 6-0 loss in San Francisco, which prevented a four-game sweep, than he’s about Colorado’s two losses in three days.
It was this stretch that helped convey the Mets, Giants and Cincinnati Reds nearer within the chase whereas additionally energizing the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.
“We had been most likely on the lowest level of the 12 months after which we had three straight wins,” Snitker mentioned. “I believe it is good. This time of 12 months you do not need to lose any video games. Each sport is essential.”
Realizing middle fielder Michael Harris II seems to be absolutely recovered from a hamstring harm that sidelined him for 2 months, the Braves headed south. He hit a grand slam and had a career-best 5 runs in a win at San Francisco on Wednesday, then had one in every of Atlanta’s 4 hits on Thursday.
Jared Kelenic additionally had a success within the Giants’ remaining two video games of the collection. That is an enormous deal because it seems the left-handed hitter will likely be filling in for no less than a part of the weekend for Jorge Soler, who strained his hamstring on Wednesday.
An MRI on Thursday confirmed no obvious injury, and Soler will doubtless be able to play when the Braves return residence to start a vital collection in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
The Braves may see three right-handers in Anaheim, beginning with Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.36 ERA) within the collection opener.
The 25-year-old may not thoughts seeing one other Nationwide League East group after dominating the final two video games in opposition to two different groups, the New York Mets and Washington Nationals. In these video games, Soriano allowed only one run and 9 hits in 12 innings, placing out 13 and strolling three.
He was denied a win in his most up-to-date begin in Washington, as he allowed simply two carries. The Angels have misplaced 5 of their previous six video games, 4 of which have been held by two runs or fewer.
Angels head coach Ron Washington expects three key arms — Logan O’Hope, Zach Neto and Joe Adell — to have a stronger begin in opposition to the Braves earlier than resting on Wednesday and Thursday assault.
“Neto was the one one complaining,” Washington mentioned. “He wrote me an extended observe saying he did not want a time off and wished to grind with the opposite guys. Generally it’s a must to take issues away from them.”
Soriano has confronted simply seven Braves batters in his profession, all of them scoreless in four-out reduction outings final season.
Braves rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (4-5, 3.95 ERA) will face the Angels for the primary time. He has carried out properly in his final three begins, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA whereas placing out 28 occasions in 20 innings.
–Scene-level media
