ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – It\u2019s certainly been fun to watch Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. return to vintage form over the past few games.<\/p>\n
After crushing a grand slam over the Green Monster in Boston, Acu\u00f1a carried that momentum into Cincinnati, where he homered in each game of Atlanta\u2019s series victory over the Reds. The reigning MVP launched two home runs Saturday night and delivered a pair of leadoff blasts during the three-game set.<\/p>\n
The timing couldn\u2019t be much better for Atlanta, which is currently without catchers Drake Baldwin (oblique) and Sean Murphy (finger).<\/p>\n
Another player providing a boost has been Jorge Mateo, who has earned increased playing time at shortstop amid Ha-Seong Kim\u2019s struggles at the plate. While there is a significant financial gap between the two players, Mateo and Mauricio Dub\u00f3n have shown they are capable of handling the position if Kim\u2019s offensive woes continue.<\/p>\n
With Acu\u00f1a swinging a hot bat and several contributors stepping up around him, the Braves (40-20) will look to carry that momentum into a three-game interleague series against the Toronto Blue Jays, beginning Tuesday night at Truist Park.<\/p>\n
Pitching probables<\/p>\n
Tuesday, 7:15 p.m.: RHP Bryce Elder vs. RHP Kevin Gausman<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.: RHP Grant Holmes vs. LHP Patrick Corbin<\/p>\n
Thursday, 7:15 p.m.: LHP Chris Sale vs. TBD<\/p>\n
Bryce Elder gets the start for Atlanta on Tuesday, squaring off against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman, who pitched 139.2 innings for the Braves from 2018-19.<\/p>\n
Elder was tagged by the Boston Red Sox in his last outing, surrendering six runs (five earned) on nine hits over 3.1 innings. The rough start raised his ERA to 2.50, though he had allowed three earned runs or fewer in 13 consecutive starts dating back to last season before that performance.<\/p>\n
Grant Holmes and Chris Sale are slated to follow Elder in the series, with the Braves set to face left-hander Patrick Corbin and a starter yet to be announced.<\/p>\n
Hitters to watch<\/p>\n
Braves: Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr., who entered last week\u2019s series against Boston without a home run in a month, quickly reminded everyone why he\u2019s one of baseball\u2019s premier players. Over his last four games, five of his six hits have left the yard, and he\u2019s also gone 4-for-5 on stolen-base attempts.<\/p>\n
Blue Jays: He\u2019s been relatively quiet in the power department this season, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has still made his presence felt at the plate. Guerrero owns a .955 OPS over his last five games, the highest mark on the team during that span. He\u2019s gone 8-for-20 with two RBIs over that stretch, though he has struggled against Chris Sale in his career, going just 2-for-11 against the veteran left-hander.<\/p>\n
Injury reportC Drake Baldwin (oblique)INF Kyle Farmer (forearm)RHP Joe Jimenez (knee)C Sean Murphy (middle finger)RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow)RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow)LHP Danny Young (elbow)<\/p>\n
Blue Jays<\/p>\n
OF Addison Barger (elbow)RHP Jose Berrios (elbow)RHP Shane Bieber (elbow)RHP Dylan Cease (hamstring)RHP Yimi Garcia (elbow)C Alejandro Kirk (thumb)LHP Joe Mantiply (knee)RHP Tommy Nance (forearm)OF Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez (wrist)OF Anthony Santander (labrum)RHP Max Scherzer (forearm, ankle)INF Lenyn Sosa (wrist)LHP Ricky Tiedemann (elbow)How to watch Braves on Gray<\/p>\n
The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through local television stations<\/a>, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.<\/p>\n