Braves look to continue winning streak against Cardinals

The Atlanta Braves will return to action on Tuesday when they begin a six-game homestand with a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals. Atlanta is 21-20 and currently three games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East standings.

The Braves just wrapped up a 6-4 road trip that included plenty of ups and downs. They began the trip with a three-game sweep of the Marlins and then suffered a rather lopsided sweep to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. They then dropped the opener in Arizona as the bullpen blew a late lead before rallying to win the final three games of the series.

It wasn’t always pretty but I think any of us would have took a 6-4 mark at the start of that trip.

Additionally, the Braves could be catching the Cardinals at a good time. St. Louis is 22-19 on the season but has lost three straight and eight of 10 overall. Their offense has slumped of late but any batting order that includes Paul Goldschmidt, Marcell Ozuna and Paul DeJong demands attention.

Here is a look at the pitching matchups for the series.

Tuesday, May 14, 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast, MLB Network)

Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images

Jack Flaherty (2018: 8 GS, 41.2 IP, 26.4 K%, 7.3 BB%, 4.32 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 3.54 xFIP)

Jack Flaherty will get the nod for the Cardinals in Tuesday’s series opener. He allowed four hits and three earned runs over five innings in his last start against the Phillies. Flaherty has allowed six earned runs over his last 10 2/3 innings. He has struck out 11 over that span but has walked seven. Flaherty has faced the Braves once in his career allowing five hits and five runs in just 4 2/3 innings.

Mike Foltynewicz (2018: 3 GS, 16.2 IP, 13.2 K%, 6.6 BB%, 5.94 ERA, 6.88 FIP, 6.32 xFIP)

Mike Foltynewicz will make his fourth start of the season for Atlanta in the opener and is still looking to regain the form he showed in 2018. Folty has relied more on his slider over those first three starts and has seen a drop in velocity on his four seamer. He allowed five hits, five runs and four walks in six innings last time out against the Dodgers. Folty has faced the Cardinals five times in his career allowing 28 hits and 20 runs in 22 1/3 innings.

Wednesday, May 15, 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast, ESPN)

Michael Wacha (2018: 7 GS, 37.0 IP, 20.7 K%, 13.0 BB%, 5.35 ERA, 5.45 FIP, 4.90 xFIP)

Michael Wacha will get the ball in Game 2 for St. Louis. He has endured an up and down season so far and is still trying to find his footing after battling a knee issue. Wacha allowed nine hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Pirates. He has allowed a total of 15 hits and eight earned runs over his last two outings.

Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

Mike Soroka (2018: 5 GS, 29.2 IP, 24.4 K%, 8.7 BB%, 1.21 ERA, 2.63 FIP, 3.50 xFIP)

Mike Soroka will make his sixth start of the season on Wednesday and will be looking to continue his excellent start. He will be facing the Cardinals for the first time in his career. Soroka allowed four hits and one run over six innings last time out against the Diamondbacks. Opponents are hitting just .183 against him and he has allowed a total of four earned runs over his first five starts.

Thursday, May 16, 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast, MLB Network)

Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

Adam Wainwright (2018: 8 GS, 43.1 IP, 20.3 K%, 7.7 BB%, 4.15 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 4.15 xFIP)

Veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright will get the start in Thursday’s series finale and is coming off arguably his best start of the season. Wainwright allowed five hits and one run over seven innings in his last start against the Pirates. He struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone.

Julio Teheran (2018: 9 GS, 50.2 IP, 24.3 K%, 10.3 BB%, 4.26 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 4.48 xFIP)

Julio Teheran will take his turn in Thursday’s finale. Teheran has been great in his last two starts allowing just five hits and one run over his last 12 innings. He held the Diamondbacks to just three hits and one run over six innings last time out. Teheran has pitched at least six innings in each of his last four starts.