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The Atlanta Braves will be looking for their fourth straight win Saturday night when they continue their series against the New York Mets. Atlanta improved to 5-3 Friday night after scoring five runs in the eighth to complete a comeback in an 11-10 victory.
Brian Snitker announced Friday that Touki Toussaint will get the first crack of filling the rotation spot that was previously held by Mike Foltynewicz. Foltynewicz was designated for assignment following his first start of the season in a loss at Tampa Bay. Toussaint followed Foltynewicz in relief and allowed five hits and six runs in just 2 2/3 innings. He did record six strikeouts against just one walk.
Toussaint made just one start and 24 relief appearances for Atlanta in 2019. While many were expecting him to transition to a full-time relief role, he turned some heads at spring training before the shutdown and it looks like the team has not given up on him as a starter quite yet. Snitker said that Toussaint will be allowed to throw between 65-75 pitches on Saturday as he is still being stretched out.
The Mets will counter with right-hander Michael Wacha who will be making his second start in a Mets uniform after spending the first seven seasons of his Major League career with the Cardinals. Wacha allowed five hits and one run over five innings in his debut against the Red Sox.
Ozzie Albies is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday after not starting Friday’s series opener. Albies did pinch hit for Austin Riley in the eighth inning and flew out.
While Dansby Swanson, Marcell Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud have gotten off to good starts at the plate, Atlanta is still waiting on guys like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley to get into gear. Acuña has hit the ball hard of late and is showing signs but is just 5-for-33 with 17 strikeouts. Riley has shown a good glove at third and in left field but is just 2-for-23 on the season and is currently in a 0-for-15 stretch.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET from Truist Park and can be seen on Fox Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, August 1, 2020, 7:10 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: Fox Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network