Braves will look to keep rolling in rematch with Blue Jays

The Atlanta Braves moved to 30 games over .500 with a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. They will look to keep it going on Monday when they continue their homestand with a brief two-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

After struggling offensively for most of their recent road trip, the Braves broke out in a three-game sweep against the White Sox. They totaled 31 runs in the series with Freddie Freeman going 5-for-11 with a pair of homers and seven runs driven in.

Atlanta split a two-game series in Toronto last week. The Blue Jays come into the series with a 55-83 record which places them fourth in the AL East standings. They went 12-15 in August and are 21-26 since the All-Star break. Toronto dropped two of three to the Houston Astros over the weekend and were no-hit by Justin Verlander in Sunday’s series finale.

Monday, September 2, 1:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)

Jacob Waguespack (2019: 11 G, 8 GS, 18.0 K%, 6.9 BB%, 3.93 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 4.88 xFIP, 85 ERA-)

Jacob Waguespack will face the Braves in Tuesday’s series opener and will be looking for better results this time around. He was tagged for six hits and five runs although only three were earned in just three innings last week against Atlanta. Waguespack has performed well this season against left-handers holding them to a .184 average in 27 2/3 innings. Matt Joyce is the only left-handed hitter to homer off of him this season. He has struggled against right-handers allowing 34 hits and 18 runs including six homers in 27 1/3 innings.

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Mike Soroka (2019: 24 GS, 147.2 IP, 19.1 K%, 5.6 BB%, 2.44 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 3.85 xFIP, 54 ERA-)

Mike Soroka will also be facing Toronto for the second straight start on Monday. Soroka allowed eight hits and two runs over six innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday. He has continued to put up solid numbers despite posting a career high in innings pitched. Soroka allowed just 10 runs over 33 2/3 innings spanning five starts and has pitched into the seventh inning in five of his last six starts.

Tuesday, September 3, 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)

TBD

The Blue Jays have yet to announce a starter for Tuesday’s series finale.

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Mike Foltynewicz (2019: 16 GS, 87.0 IP, 20.6 K%, 8.1 BB%, 5.59 ERA, 5.53 FIP, 5.02 xFIP, 124 ERA-)

The Braves staked Mike Foltynewicz to an early five run lead Wednesday in Toronto but he was exactly sharp laboring his way through 4 2/3 innings having allowed eight hits and three runs. Folty has pitched better since returning from the minor leagues August 6 but has failed to escape the fifth inning in two of his last three starts. He has posted a 3.90 ERA and struck out 29 in 27 2/3 innings in five starts since returning from Gwinnett.