Coming off a big win Saturday night, the Atlanta Braves will try to capture a series win Sunday in the rubber match of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Atlanta saw a late lead slip away Friday night in a 7-6 loss but bounced back in a big way Saturday with a 9-0 win behind a brilliant performance from Max Fried. Combined with a Mets loss Saturday, Atlanta is now just three games back of the division lead.
Drew Smyly will get the start for Atlanta and will be looking to continue his recent run of good performances. After an atrocious start, Smyly settled in during June posting a 2.84 ERA in five starts while allowing just two home runs. He wasn’t sharp in his last outing where he allowed nine hits, three walks and three runs in five innings against the Pirates, but the runs came early and he was able to limit the damage. Since allowing 13 home runs over his first eight starts, Smyly has allowed three over his last seven. The Braves will be hoping that continues Sunday.
The Rays will counter with veteran lefty Rich Hill who has again put together a solid season. Hill allowed four hits, three walks and three runs in five innings in his final start before the break against the Blue Jays. Through two July starts, he has allowed seven hits, four walks and four runs in 8 2/3 innings to go along with seven strikeouts. Hill has faced the Braves nine times in his career and has a 1.74 ERA in 46 2/3 innings.
Sunday’s game is scheduled to get underway at 1:20 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports Southeast.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 18, 1:20 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: Bally Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network