Game 44: Red Sox at Braves lineups and notes
After wrapping up a 2-4 homestand with a 3-1 loss to the Phillies, the Red Sox are in Atlanta to face the Braves on Friday.
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It was more of the same for the Red Sox in Thursday’s finale against Philadelphia, with the Sox going 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position to spoil a nice outing from Ranger Suarez, who tossed 5⅓ shutout innings.
It could go from bad to worse for the Sox on Friday as they open a three-game series with a Braves squad that owns the majors’ best record, batting average, and ERA.
The Sox will send Connelly Early to the mound for Friday’s opener. The lefthander is coming off the best start of his young career after tossing seven scoreless innings, striking out eight while allowing just four hits in a 2-0 win over the Rays.
“He’s controlling counts, getting ahead of guys,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “He actually leaves some in the tank and starts to get stronger as the game goes on. You’re seeing him throw 92, 93 [miles per hour] and then you get to the end and you’re seeing 96s.”
The Braves will counter with Spencer Strider, who is making his third start after missing the first month with an oblique strain. In his most recent outing Saturday he allowed just one hit and struck out eight in six scoreless innings in a 7-2 win at the Dodgers his last time out.
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“Spencer looked like himself again,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “That’s as good as I’ve seen Spencer in a while. That’s really encouraging, a great sign for us to see him throw the ball like that.”
Here is a preview.
Lineups
RED SOX (18-25): TBA
Pitching: LHP Connelly Early (3-2, 3.16 ERA)
BRAVES (30-14): TBA
Pitching: RHP Spencer Strider (1-0, 2.89 ERA)
Time: 7:15 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Strider: Willson Contreras 1-2, Jarren Duran 0-3, Connor Wong 2-3, Masataka Yoshida 0-3
Braves vs. Early: Has not faced any Atlanta batters
Stat of the day: The Braves have dropped just one series all season, while the Sox are 4-9-1 in series play, dropping four of their last five.
Notes: Friday’s game kicks off a six-game road trip for the Sox. After three games in Atlanta, they will head to Kansas City for three with the Royals. … Since debuting in September Early has a 2.90 ERA in 12 career starts. He is facing the Braves for the first time. … Lefthanded starters have posted a 3.73 ERA in 30 outings for the Sox. … Wilyer Abreu is hitting .342 with a .930 OPS over his last 20 games. … Andruw Monasterio is batting .323 with a .925 OPS over his last nine games and has posted multiple hits in back-to-back games. … Strider, 27, has faced the Red Sox just once, allowing three runs (two earned) across 6⅓ innings in a no-decision on July 26, 2023. The Braves lost 5-3.
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