The Boston Red Sox are set to conclude their series against the Atlanta Braves, with the opportunity to clinch a rare home series victory.
The finale at Fenway Park will see a pitching match-up between left-handers, Payton Tolle for the Red Sox and Chris Sale for the Braves.
Sale Returns to Face Former Team
Chris Sale, now in his third season with Atlanta, spent seven seasons with the Red Sox. He has a 4-1 record with a 1.89 ERA in 12 appearances against the Red Sox, including seven starts. Sale has allowed one run or fewer in eight of his 10 starts, including his most recent outing where he surrendered just one run in seven innings against the Marlins on May 20.
Red Sox Aim to Secure Series at Home
The Red Sox shutout Atlanta 8-0 on Wednesday. Connelly Early secured the win after pitching seven innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven. A win on Thursday would mark only their second series win at Fenway Park this season, holding a current home series record of 1-6-1.
Tolle on the Mound for Boston
Payton Tolle will be pitching for the Red Sox. Tolle faced the Braves earlier this season, pitching eight innings and allowing two runs on four hits in a 3-2 win at Atlanta on May 16. Tolle owns the second-lowest ERA among MLB rookies with at least 35 innings pitched. He has allowed three runs or fewer in eight of his nine career starts, including each of his six this season.
Players to Watch
- Jarren Duran has homered in each of the last two games.
- He is batting .357 with a .429 OBP and a 1.191 OPS over his last 10 games.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa has an RBI in four straight games, tying a career-long streak.
The Braves lineup includes Acuña Jr., Dubón, Olson, Albies and Riley. The Red Sox lineup includes Rafaela, Abreu, Contreras, Monasterio and Sogard.
First pitch for Thursday’s finale with the Braves is at 4:10 p.m., before the Red Sox travel to Cleveland for a three-game series beginning Friday.