The Atlanta Braves are hoping for a turnaround at Truist Park this Sunday when they take on the Houston Astros. First pitch comes at 1:35 p.m. EDT, and there’s a lot riding on this one.
Atlanta wants to snap a four-game home losing streak. Houston, meanwhile, is trying to tighten its grip on the AL West lead.
Both teams are dealing with injuries and recent ups and downs. This interleague matchup could really come down to the little things—maybe a pitching duel, maybe a clutch hit in a tight spot.
Braves Searching for Consistency at Home
The Atlanta Braves come in at 65-83 overall and 35-39 at home. One thing’s clear: when they give up home runs, they struggle, going just 34-65 in those games.
Keeping the ball in the park will be a big deal against Houston’s dangerous lineup. Atlanta’s offense leans on Matt Olson, who leads the team with a .271 average, 36 doubles, and 24 homers.
Ozzie Albies has been a rare bright spot lately. He’s hit three home runs in his last 10 games, providing some spark during a tough stretch.
Injuries Adding to the Challenge
The Braves are missing key players right now. Austin Riley (abdominal) tops their injury list, and a few others are out for the long haul.
That lack of depth has thrown off both their lineup and their defense.
Astros Eye Division Crown
The Houston Astros come to Atlanta with an 81-68 record, sitting atop the AL West. Their record on the road is a solid 38-36.
They’ve been especially good in close games, with a 26-16 mark in one-run contests. That knack for late-game execution could matter in this series finale.
Jeremy Peña has been steady all year, hitting .299 with 28 doubles and 15 homers. Yordan Alvarez is scorching hot, batting .372 with two home runs in his last 10 games.
Houston’s offense blends contact and power, so Atlanta’s pitching staff is in for a test.
Astros Also Dealing with Key Absences
Houston has injury problems of its own. Former MVP Jose Altuve is out with a foot injury, which shakes up their lineup and defense.
Despite that, they’ve managed to hang on at the top of the standings. There’s something to be said for their depth and grit.
Sunday’s Pitching Showdown
This game features two pitchers with very different stories in 2024. For Houston, Framber Valdez has been a rock, going 12-9 with a 3.42 ERA and 171 strikeouts.
Valdez gets a ton of ground balls and can pitch deep into games. That could be huge for shutting down Atlanta’s power threats.
Atlanta sends out Joey Wentz, who’s 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA and 77 strikeouts. Wentz shows flashes but struggles with consistency, especially once runners get on base.
Recent Form Tells a Tale
In their last 10 games, the Braves have gone just 3-7. They’re hitting only .203 as a team and have a 5.56 ERA.
The Astros are 5-5 in that same stretch, batting .254 with a 3.60 ERA. Houston seems to have the edge, but baseball has a way of surprising you.
Keys to Victory
If Atlanta wants to snap their home slump, they’ll need to:
- Keep the Astros in the park, especially Alvarez and Peña
- Get solid innings from Wentz so the bullpen isn’t overworked
- Cash in on chances with runners in scoring position
For Houston, the recipe is:
- Take advantage of Atlanta’s cold bats
- Exploit any defensive mistakes from the injury-hit Braves
- Keep up their clutch play in close games if things stay tight
Final Thoughts
This third meeting of the season between the Braves and Astros? It’s a fascinating clash of form and circumstance.
Atlanta’s playing for pride and momentum, hoping to avoid a sweep at home. Houston, meanwhile, wants every win to boost their postseason spot.
Valdez and Wentz are set to face off. Power hitters on both sides could change everything with just one swing.
Honestly, it feels like fans are in for a pretty compelling afternoon of baseball in Atlanta.
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