The Atlanta Braves are gearing up for a nine-game homestand after an eventful road trip that saw them split games across three cities in three days, commencing with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. Charlie Morton, the Braves’ right-handed pitcher with a 4-4 record and a 4.20 ERA, will take the mound in the series opener. He has faced the Pirates once before, recording a 6.00 ERA in that outing. Pittsburgh, entering with a two-game winning streak, plans to counter with veteran left-hander Martin Perez, who returns from a month-long injury stint due to a groin injury. Perez last pitched against the Braves, exiting early after three innings of one-run ball, and holds an 0-1 record against Atlanta with an 8.00 ERA.
Atlanta returns home following a 3-4 road trip highlighted by taking two out of three games from the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Despite a promising start, the journey concluded with losses in three of the final four games. After splitting a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, the team suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Chicago White Sox in a makeup game on Thursday, managing only six hits combined in those matchups. Manager Brian Snitker acknowledged their offensive struggles despite strong pitching performances, particularly praising Chris Sale, who struck out 11 in a 1-0 loss to the White Sox.
Looking ahead, the Braves face a challenging schedule with upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies, the latter being a crucial National League East showdown. The Pirates, meanwhile, are well-rested after a Thursday off-day following a successful series against the Cincinnati Reds, where they won the final two games of a three-game set. Their recent form has been buoyed by standout performances from players like Andrew McCutchen and Rowdy Tellez, who contributed to their recent victories.
Manager Derek Shelton emphasized the importance of bouncing back after an initial loss in their series against the Reds, highlighting the team’s resilience and improved performance. Aroldis Chapman’s strong showing in relief also underscored Pittsburgh’s depth and capability heading into their matchup against the Braves. Bryan Reynolds, with a 23-game hitting streak, continues to be a standout for the Pirates this season, adding depth to their offensive lineup.
As the Braves and Pirates prepare to face off, the stage is set for an intriguing series that could have significant implications for both teams as they navigate their respective divisions in the coming days.
