Mike Foltynewicz (2-0, 4.24 ERA) and Nathan Karns (3-1, 3.77 ERA) take the hill in the first of a two-game series between the Atlanta Braves (18-19) and the Tampa Bay Rays (21-18) at Turner Field. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 19 and can be seen on SunSports and SPSO.
Foltynewicz pitched 6.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs (one unearned), striking out seven and walking four in a 4-3 defeat to the Reds. Freddie Freeman (.312, 24 Rs, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 5 Sunday with one RBI. Against the Braves, Karns is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and six strikeouts. David DeJesus (.319, 12 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Rays, going 2 for 5 Sunday with one RBI.
The odds for Atlanta and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Against the AL, the Braves have a 2-1 record SU. The Braves have seen an uptick in scoring against teams in the AL, averaging 6.0 runs per game. They average 4.3 runs per game on the season. Atlanta’s pitchers fall apart when American League teams are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 5.0 against AL teams, compared to its 4.4 season average.
Tampa Bay is 2-1 SU against interleague opponents. Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.0 runs per game by averaging 5.1 during that stretch. The Rays average 3.6 runs allowed per game, but does worse whenever an NL opponent is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average up to 5.0 against teams from the NL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Rays are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.15 for the season.
The Braves have a 16-17 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Karns takes the mound. Foltynewicz (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 17-12 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Tampa Bay is 7-7, while Atlanta is 7-15.
The Braves are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Rays have a 1-6 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 2-13. The Rays have a 3-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Atlanta has hit 26 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 12th with 36 home runs.
Atlanta and Tampa Bay both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Atlanta sits at ninth with 8.65 hits per game and Tampa Bay ranks 10th with 8.10.
Atlanta and Tampa Bay both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Atlanta sits at 17th with an OPS of .709 and Tampa Bay ranks 20th with an OPS of .703.
The Rays are 9-12 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Braves are 6-13 when they allow at least one homer.
