ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Braves split their four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies, fumbling an opportunity to widen their lead in the NL East but maintaining a four-game advantage with 18 games remaining.<\/p>\n
Atlanta clinched the season series against Philadelphia with Sunday\u2019s win, so if the Braves and Phillies finish with identical records, Atlanta would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker for the division title. Now, the Braves will open a three-game series Tuesday against the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays (85-58) before hosting Philadelphia this weekend in the teams\u2019 final series of the regular season.<\/p>\n
Pitching probables<\/p>\n
Tuesday, 7:15 p.m. – RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (0-1, 7.13 ERA) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (7-11, 4.96 ERA)<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. – RHP Reynaldo Lopez (4-3, 3.64 ERA) vs. RHP Griffin Jax (6-10, 3.82 ERA)<\/p>\n
Thursday, 12:15 p.m. – LHP Martin Perez (8-9, 3.25 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Martinez (14-4, 3.04 ERA)<\/p>\n
AJ Smith-Shawver is scheduled to start the series opener, while Mart\u00edn P\u00e9rez is set to take the mound in the finale. Reynaldo L\u00f3pez, who\u2019s been sidelined since Aug. 2 with left knee inflammation, will start Wednesday\u2019s game, according to manager Walt Weiss.<\/p>\n
The Braves will need to activate him from the 15-day injured list, meaning the team will need to make a corresponding move. Bryce Elder, who\u2019s been dealing with a knee issue, will be moved to the bullpen temporarily while the team carries additional starting-pitching depth.<\/p>\n
Chris Sale will start Friday\u2019s series opener against the Phillies.<\/p>\n
Hitters to watch<\/p>\n
Braves: Perhaps the most important development in the Braves\u2019 September postseason push is the resurgence of Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. Acu\u00f1a has posted a 1.094 OPS over his past 12 games and a 1.298 OPS in his past six. He hit a game-tying home run in Sunday\u2019s win over the Phillies and has recently looked more like the player who won the 2023 NL MVP award.<\/p>\n
Rays: Junior Caminero leads the Rays with 38 home runs this season and will look to add to that total this week against Atlanta. Caminero has faced Tuesday\u2019s Braves starter, Smith-Shawver, only twice but hit a home run against him. He is 0-for-3 in his career against Mart\u00edn P\u00e9rez.<\/p>\n
Yandy D\u00edaz is another Rays hitter to watch. He is 12-for-30 against P\u00e9rez and entered the series with an .830 OPS and two home runs over his past 13 games.<\/p>\n
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