Division leaders set to satisfy as Twins go to Braves

A pair of top-line beginning pitchers will sq. off Monday when the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves host the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins within the opening recreation of a three-game sequence

The Braves will ship Spencer Strider (8-2, 3.93 ERA) towards Minnesota’s Sonny Grey (4-1, 2.56) in a duel between two confirmed right-handers

The Braves are coming off a 4-1 highway journey, have gained 10 of their final 11 and took the ultimate two video games of a three-game sequence towards NL Central-leading Cincinnati. The Twins simply gained two of three from the host Detroit Tigers over the weekend, together with a 6-3 victory in 10 innings on Sunday. Minnesota has gained 4 of its final 5

The groups haven’t met since 2019 when the Braves took two-of-three in Minneapolis

Strider leads the foremost leagues with 136 strikeouts and is coming off a bounce-back effort at Philadelphia on Tuesday. He restricted the Phillies to at least one run over six innings after having allowed 13 runs over 9 mixed innings in his two earlier begins. Strider fanned 9 on Tuesday and have become the second pitcher since 1901 to have 300 strikeouts in his first 35 begins, becoming a member of Doc Gooden.

Strider has by no means confronted the Twins

Grey didn’t issue within the resolution in his most up-to-date begin on Wednesday towards the Boston Pink Sox, a recreation the Twins gained 5-4 on a Tenth-inning walk-off single by Kyle Farmer. Grey pitched 5 innings and allowed three runs on six hits, with two walks and 5 strikeouts

Grey has made 5 profession begins towards the Braves, going 0-2 with a 3.23 ERA. He final confronted Atlanta on Aug. 10, 2021, whereas pitching for Cincinnati

Each groups have been hitting the ball properly.

Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson hit his twenty fifth homer on Sunday, a decisive three-run shot, and has seven bombs in his final 9 video games. 5 of his final six hits have left the ballpark, and he’s tied with Shohei Ohtani for tops within the majors.

Over the past 11 video games, the Braves have scored 89 runs on 125 hits with 30 dwelling runs and 14 stolen bases. Atlanta has a six-game lead over Miami within the NL East

“I feel we’re simply taking these subsequent steps,” Olson mentioned. “We’re coming collectively one by way of 9 (within the order). We’re swinging it properly, guys are throwing properly. Hopefully we will preserve rising because the season goes alongside.”

Considered one of Minnesota’s hottest hitters has been third baseman Royce Lewis. He was 3-for-4 on Sunday, drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run within the Tenth inning and prolonged his hitting streak to a career-best seven video games.

Throughout the streak, Lewis is batting .462 (12-for-26) with a double, two homers and 5 RBIs. He has reached base safely in a career-best 10 straight.

“Simply the nice routine we now have with Pop (hitting coach David Popkins) and staying on prime of it,” Lewis mentioned. “Every single day is a grind, a unique pitcher, and we’re making the suitable changes.”

–Subject Stage Media