Julio Teheran, Braves look to complete sweep against White Sox

After suffering through some offensive doldrums on their last road trip, the Atlanta Braves’ bats have woken up against the Chicago White Sox in their current homestand. Atlanta has scored 21 runs in the first two gams of their series against Chicago and 30 over their last three if you include the nine runs they scored in Toronto on the final game of the trip. This offense has shown that it is explosive so it was just a matter of time before they got going again.

The Braves scored 11 runs Saturday night without Ronald Acuña Jr. as part of the starting lineup. He hit a sacrifice fly in a pinch hit appearance Saturday night but has been fighting it a bit going 7-for-43 with 17 strikeouts over his last 11 games. Hopefully a day off will be enough to get him pointed back in the right direction. Freddie Freeman also left Saturday’s win early due to a sore foot. Freeman was hit on the foot by a 99 mph pitch thrown by Jimmy Cordero in the second inning. He was removed in the sixth for what was described as a precautionary move by manager Brian Snitker.

Julio Teheran will be on the mound for Atlanta Saturday and will be looking to continue what has been a solid season throughout. Teheran’s worst start of the season came three starts ago when he was lit up for eight hits and six runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Mets. Since then he has allowed eight hits and struck out 13 over 13 shutout innings against the Marlins and the Rockies. He has allowed three runs or less in 10 of his last 11 starts.

Atlanta’s offense will have its work cut out for it on Sunday when they face right-hander Lucas Giolito who is enjoying a breakout season. Giolito has made 26 starts for the White Sox and has posted a 3.20 ERA (3.32 FIP) in 157 2/3 innings. He has struck out 203 and is averaging 11.6 K/9.

After a bit of a rocky July, he settled down in June allowing just nine earned runs in five starts combined. He allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout in Minnesota two starts ago and allowed four hits and two runs over six innings in a rematch against the Twins earlier this week. He has struck out at least 11 batters in three of his last four starts.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. ET this afternoon from SunTrust Park and the game can be seen on Fox Sports South.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, September 1, 5:10 p.m. ET

Location: SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: Fox Sports South

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Rock 100.5, Braves Radio Network