We head to Trust Park in Atlanta, Ga. for the rubber game between the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves. It’s been a rough week mentally for Atlanta after losing star player Ronald Acuna for the rest of the year with a torn ACL. The Braves are still capable of being a contender with a current 32-24 record, but losing that speed and power at the top of the lineup of Acuna’s caliber is almost impossible to replace.

After losing 4-2 on Friday Oakland bounced back with a 11-9 victory Saturday getting to starter Chris Sale who had been lights out so far in his 2024 campaign. Sale surrendered eight runs in 4.0 innings pitched. Charlie Morton takes the mound today for Atlanta looking for a bounce back start. Morton was roughed up in his last outing versus Washington. Morton also surrendered eight runs in 5.2 innings pitched. Before that Morton hadn’t given up eight runs in seven starts combined.

Opposing Morton will be Luis Medina making his first start of 2024. Medina is coming off of a MCL sprain in his right knee. The 25 year old Medina will be on a pitch limit and the Braves offense isn’t exactly the first lineup you would want to face for a tune up. In two rehab starts in Triple A Medina gave up seven runs across 6 innings.

Even if Medina is able to keep this game close he won’t go deep and I expect the Braves to get the the A’s bullpen. Back Morton and Atlanta to get back on track.

Official Pick: Braves -1.5 -118 BetRivers

By the Black Bookie

Photo courtesy of ESPN