Rangers vs. Braves preview: Atlanta returns home to host Texas in series opener

After an up and down (mostly down) road trip, the Atlanta Braves return home to SunTrust Park on Monday evening. Waiting for them will be the Texas Rangers to begin a seven-game homestand and an always entertaining Inter-League matchup.

R.A. Dickey takes the ball for the home team and he is coming off a tremendous outing last week. The veteran right-hander tossed eight innings of one-run baseball in a dominant win over the Phillies and, given that it was the first game of a double-header, Dickey’s performance was much needed in order to preserve a potentially taxed bullpen.

In this matchup, Dickey is facing a better lineup, as the Rangers enter with the 4th-best offense (at least by runs scored) in all of baseball. It should be noted that Texas is not operating at 100 percent capacity but Atlanta will need a competitive outing from the knuckleballer to remain in the mix here.

Dickey will be opposed by former National League stalwart Andrew Cashner. The 30-year-old has pitched quite well in 22 starts this season, posting a 3.30 ERA and, more importantly given his track record, staying healthy. Atlanta’s offense has displayed signs of life recently but this isn’t a breezy situation for the lineup.

Labor Day brings what should be some entertaining baseball to the table and we’ll be here throughout the day for all the latest. Stay tuned.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Monday, September 4, 2017, 7:35 pm ET

Location: SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: Fox Sports Southeast, MLB.tv (streaming)

Radio: 680 AM, 93.7 FM (Flagship in Atlanta), WYAY 106.7, Braves Radio Network