The Atlanta Braves are on a roll, boasting the hottest offense in Major League Baseball (MLB) since July. Their success is not solely attributed to Drake Baldwin and Austin Riley's fiery performance post-All-Star break. Instead, it's a collective effort, with twelve Braves players achieving league-average or better wRC+ in July, including a pitcher with just one at-bat. Manager Walt Weiss's strategic lineup choices have been instrumental, tailoring lineups to match-ups and maximizing his players' strengths. The question of who will start at designated hitter (DH) and shortstop remains, with Weiss's decision to go with Baldwin as the DH and Joey Bart catching being a notable choice.
One intriguing factor is the performance of players against left-handed starters. Mauricio Dubón leads the team with 20 at-bats against JP Sears, boasting an impressive OPS of .900 and a home run. However, other Braves starters have struggled against Sears, including Austin Riley (.633 OPS), Matt Olson (.573 OPS), Michael Harris (.400 OPS), and Ozzie Albies (.282 OPS). The good news is that Baldwin and Jim Jarvis, who haven't faced Sears, might have an advantage.
The Padres, meanwhile, are also on a hot streak offensively, ranking eighth in runs scored and tenth in wRC+ since July. They have eleven position players with a wRC+ of league average or better, led by Luis Campusano and Ty France. However, no Padres player has faced Elder in more than five at-bats, and the player with the most success against him is Jake Cronenworth, with a three-run home run in three at-bats. Jackson Merrill is one for two, and Fernando Tatis Jr. has two RBI in three at-bats.
This high-scoring showdown pits two top-ten offenses against two underperforming starting pitchers. It promises to be an exciting contest, with the first pitch set for 7:15 EDT. The Braves' recent success and strategic lineup choices, coupled with the Padres' offensive prowess, make for a captivating game that could go either way.
