After yesterday’s drubbing at the hand of the Boston Red Sox, the Braves will look to get back on track under the guidance of Sean Newcomb.
Newcomb’s early season run of dominance was derailed by the Red Sox on May 26. Leading up to facing Boston on that fateful May day, Newcomb - who grew up a Red Sox fan - was 5-1 with a solid 2.39 ERA / 3.05 FIP, along with a 9.91 K/9 rate. Including his ugly three-inning stint that day at Fenway (during which he allowed four walks and three earned runs), he has gone 6-6 with a 4.68 ERA / 4.74 FIP, and his strikeout rate has fallen to 7.8 K/9.
Today, he looks to get back on track by spurning the team that sent him spinning.
Despite a 4-6 record over their last 10 games, the Braves are still sitting pretty in the NL East, holding tight to a four-game lead over the Phillies. The magic number sits at 22. Long-time offensive cog Freddie Freeman looks to be emerging from his recent slump, and this could be a boon for Atlanta. As fun as it is to watch Ronald Acuña carry the Braves’ offense, it would be nice to get him some help and ease the pressure on him.
Acuña & friends will face former AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, who comes into today’s game with a 15-7 record and 4.27 ERA / 3.87 FIP. Though he has still not mimicked his output from his award-winning 2016, he is closer to that form than he was in 2017. He is striking out batters at a career high clip (9.12 K/9).
While the Red Sox are a juggernaut that carries a league-best 95-44 record into tonight’s game, the Braves have the tools to beat them. However, for them to do so, Sean Newcomb will have to pitch better against this offensive steamroller than he did in May.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, September 4, 7:35 p.m. ET
Location: SunTrust Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: Fox Sports Southeast
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM, WYAY 106.7, Braves Radio Network, La Mejor 1600 / 1460 / 1130 AM