Max Fried & the first place Braves invade Fenway

By the time tonight’s first pitch is thrown, the Atlanta Braves’ roster could have a different look. However, regardless of whatever hullabaloo surrounds the trade deadline, the Braves will be closing out their August in Boston against the Red Sox.

The Braves’ main deadline target is obviously starting pitching, as the team seeks another robust arm to pair with tonight’s starter, Max Fried. Fried has been a revelation for the Braves, stringing together a 5-0 record alongside a 1.35 ERA | 2.28 FIP. If the Cy Young voting were held today, he would likely receive a significant amount of votes.

Fried will face a 12-22 Red Sox team that sits in the cellar of the AL East. They will be further decimated today, as their lineup will now be without Mitch Moreland, who was traded to San Diego - along with seemingly all other available trade targets - yesterday. The Sox lineup does still feature Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and JD Martinez, which will give Fried plenty of reason to keep his foot on the gas all night.

The Sox will send Colten Brewer to the mound, he of the 0-2 record and 4.57 ERA | 5.99 FIP. This will be his fourth start of the year, but his 11th appearance. This could bode well for the Braves, as Brewer’s numbers as a starter (6.97 K/9, 6.10 BB/9, 2.61 HR/9, 7.39 FIP) have been rather pedestrian.

The Braves’ lineup will be worth keeping an eye on, and not just for trade deadline intrigue. Ronald Acuña was pulled from last night’s game against Philadelphia as a precautionary measure after feeling some hamstring tightness, but could find himself back in the lineup tonight. Also, depending on what else happens by 4 pm - if anything - there could be some new additions (or subtractions!) from the active roster.

Stay tuned!

Game Date/Time: Monday, August 31, 7:30 p.m. ET

Location: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

TV: Fox Sports Southeast

Streaming: MLB.tv

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