The 57-41 Atlanta Braves will open a 4-game set tonight with the 49-50 San Diego Padres at Truist Park. The Padres swept the Braves in a 3-game set back in June at Petco Park but now the Braves have them on their turf and the outcome will be different. Tonight’s expected starters are Bryce Elder for Atlanta and lefty JP Sears for San Diego. Elder is 5-6 with a 4.12 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Sears comes in at 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA and a WHIP of 1.42. Atlanta can score, averaging 5 runs per game, and should be able to do some damage against the mediocre-at-best Sears. Elder is better than his numbers reflect and after a couple of shaky starts is due for a shutdown game. The Braves boast a 29-19 record at Truist Park and have the edge in runs scored, run differential, batting average, hits, homers, team ERA, and the list goes on.
TONIGHT’S PICK: ATLANTA BRAVES