Losing Freddie Freeman was a big blow to this Atlanta Braves team. He was on an absolute rampage before going down in mid-May, putting up a 203 wRC+ in 165 plate appearances. Now, after just two rehab games down in Gwinnett, where he played third base for a total of nine innings, Freeman is back and in the lineup as the Braves take on the Astros.
The Braves have activated INF Freddie Freeman from the 10-day disabled list. He will start at 3B tonight against Houston.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 4, 2017
In a corresponding move, Jace Peterson has been sent down to Gwinnett.
Freeman got all of one fielding chance at third base, which he converted flawlessly. Looks like his real test at the position will come at the major league level.
Freeman rejoins a Braves team that has battled back to just one game under .500 in his absence. Tonight’s game will feature them trying to get to the .500 mark as Sean Newcomb faces off against the Astros’ Brad Peacock. The Astros swept the Braves in a two-game series in Houston earlier this season, and have yet to lose to a National League team this year.
Peacock has served in a swingman capacity so far for the ‘Stros, having made seven starts and 12 relief appearances. But, he’s become a strikeout savant, striking out over 35 percent (!!!) of the batters he’s faced. He’s also walking 14 percent of batters, but the ERA (2.72) and FIP (2.40) have been excellent, and the xFIP (3.47) is still quite good. Since re-entering the rotation on May 22, Peacock has not really eaten innings, but has stymied opposing lineups. He’s averaging under five innings a start (yes, really), but has struck out seven or more hitters in each of those starts but one, and has allowed more than two runs in just two of those starts. He’s allowed just one run in each of his last three starts.
The Braves will send Sean Newcomb to the hill for his fifth outing. Newcomb’s performance has been revelatory so far: he’s lasted at least six innings in each of his first four career starts, and has allowed just four earned runs total, with three of those coming in one outing.
The Astros have the best record in baseball and a 15-game division lead in July, so it almost goes without saying that this will be a tough test for the Braves. But perhaps Freeman, back in the lineup, and the additional oomph that comes from preserving Matt Adams’ spot in the batting order, can help them pass it. Find out with Independence Day baseball tonight.
Game Info
Houston Astros @ Atlanta Braves
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
7:35 pm ET
SunTrust Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: Fox Sports Southeast
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM, Braves Radio Network