Braves at Reds
Despite a leaky bullpen that has cost them several times in the season’s first three weeks, the Atlanta Braves open a three-game series Tuesday at the Cincinnati Reds brimming with confidence after their offense fueled back-to-back victories at Cleveland to close the weekend. Atlanta rallied from seven runs down to win the nightcap of a Saturday doubleheader then bashed the Indians 11-5 on Sunday, scoring 19 runs on 24 hits in the final 14 innings of the series.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson homered twice and finished with three hits Sunday, and in his past 13 games is batting .340 with a 1.168 OPS, 11 walks and four homers - helping drive an Atlanta offense that began Monday leading the majors in team on-base percentage (.360) and ranked fourth in walks (99). Cincinnati is moving in the opposite direction offensively, hitting a major-league worst .197 as a team while drawing only 52 walks (fewest in the majors). The Reds have won three of their past five thanks largely to their pitching, which has posted a 2.40 ERA with 60 strikeouts and only nine walks in 45 innings during that span. Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto, hitting .227 with 20 strikeouts in 19 games, missed his second consecutive contest Sunday with tightness in his back, while outfielder Matt Kemp left Sunday’s 4-3 loss at San Diego with a bruised chest.
TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.75 ERA) vs. Reds RH Sonny Gray (0-3, 2.79)
Gausman made arguably his best start since joining Atlanta at last summer’s trade deadline Wednesday against Arizona, striking out a career-high 10 while allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings. The 28-year-old rebounded from allowing four runs across 5 2/3 innings in his previous start April 11 against the New York Mets by walking only one batter while throwing 67 of his 99 pitches for strikes without getting a decision, after Arizona rallied against Atlanta’s bullpen. Gausman, who has posted a 0.76 WHIP and allowed just nine hits in 19 2/3 innings across three starts, surrendered eight runs over 2 2/3 innings in his only career appearance against Cincinnati in 2017.
Gray has yet to win in his first four starts with Cincinnati but the veteran has pitched well, giving up six earned runs over 19 1/3 innings with a 0.93 WHIP and 5.6 hits allowed per nine innings. The 29-year old, who is holding opponents to a .174 batting average with 22 strikeouts in 69 at-bats, struck out nine across six innings while allowing three runs on two hits in his last start Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gray, who struck out 13 batters in 10 2/3 innings with five hits and one run surrendered in his previous two starts, has lost his two career starts against Atlanta (2014, 2017).
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati RHP Michael Lorenzen has appeared in 14 of the Reds first 21 games this season, pitching in nine while also pinch-hitting, pinch-running and playing center field.
2. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis is hitting .387 with a 1.040 OPS since beginning the season 1-for-12, and he is batting .333 with runners in scoring position with 13 RBIs in 24 at-bats.
3. Reds SS Jose Iglesias collected three hits Sunday and is 8-for-24 in his past seven games.