In the second of a two-game series between the Atlanta Braves (44-75) and the Minnesota Twins (48-71) at Turner Field, Mike Foltynewicz (6-5, 4.50 ERA) and Kyle Gibson (4-7, 5.09 ERA) take the mound. The Twins won the last game 4-2, and Minnesota leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and will air on FSN and FSSE.
In his last start, Foltynewicz pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and walking two in an 8-5 victory over the Nationals. Freddie Freeman (.287, 67 Rs, 23 HRs, 54 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run. The Twins were unsuccessful against the Royals 7-3 the last time Gibson pitched. He went 5.0 innings, giving up six runs (one unearned), striking out four and walking two. Brian Dozier (.265, 70 Rs, 26 HRs, 70 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Braves have a SU record of 6-9 against the AL. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Braves has gone great. Over that span, Atlanta is averaging 4.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.6. Don’t expect the Atlanta hitters to swing wildly. They average only 7.5 strikeouts per game.
Against interleague competitors, the Twins are 6-9 SU. They sport the top-ranked offense in the AL, averaging four runs per game. The Twins average 3.1 walks per game, making them one of the most disciplined teams in the AL.
The Braves are 2-1 against the Twins this season. The Braves will take on a right-hander (Gibson) in this game and have a 32-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Foltynewicz will take the mound against the Twins. Against righty starters this season, they have an awful 32-56 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIN, O/U – Under
Notes
The Braves managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Twins who are coming in with a 10-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Twins are 8-59. The Braves have a 7-51 record when opponents outhit them.
Atlanta ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 79 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 13th with 145.
Atlanta and Minnesota both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Atlanta sits at 10th with 8.34 hits per game and Minnesota ranks seventh with 8.91.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.673). Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .754.
When the Twins allow at least one home run, they are 34-59. When the Braves allow one or more homers, they have a 19-59 record.
