Braves at Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to the future with several top prospects populating their everyday lineup, and because of the efforts of three of those players they look to finish a two-game home sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The trio of Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. combined to go 5-for-11 with two runs scored and one RBI in Tuesday’s series opener, a 3-1 triumph that gave the Blue Jays just their second victory in their past nine games.
Designated hitter Justin Smoak went 2-for-3 with a seventh-inning homer Tuesday, giving him 10 hits in 25 at-bats with five homers and eight RBIs in his past eight games against the Braves with at least one hit in seven of those contests. Atlanta lost for just the fourth time in its past 15 games but its offense is struggling of late, scoring just 18 runs in the past six contests while going 10-for-51 with runners in scoring position with 51 runners left on base in that span. Atlanta, which played its third contest in a different city in three days (New York, Sunday; Colorado, Monday), lost its second straight after an eight-game winning streak and dropped to 16-9 in August - getting an Ozzie Albies RBI double in the seventh for its lone tally as the Braves scored two runs or fewer for the fourth time in five games. Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who threw out two runners from right field Tuesday, is 6-for-33 in his past eight games with 14 strikeouts but the Braves maintained their 5-1/2 game lead in the National League East.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (4-5, 5.68 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Jacob Waguespack (4-1, 3.63)
Foltynewicz has improved with each start he has made since returning from the minor leagues in early August, going 2-0 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in four outings this month. The 27-year-old pitched outstanding in his last start Friday at the New York Mets, surrendering just one run on two hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven innings to get a no-decision in a game Atlanta won in 14 innings. Foltynewicz had made two career starts against Toronto, going 2-0 while allowing eight runs on 12 hits in 12 2/3 innings.
Waguespack makes his third consecutive start after impressive back-to-back outings, in which he allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one hit across seven shutout innings Thursday, getting a no-decision six days after earning the win when he gave up two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings against Seattle. Waguespack, who made his major-league debut May 27, began August by holding Tampa Bay scoreless across six innings with four hits allowed.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta SS Dansby Swanson is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in two games since returning from the injured list Monday.
2. Blue Jays RHP Ken Giles struck out two in the ninth Tuesday to record his 17th save in 18 opportunities.
3. Toronto C Reese McGuire snapped a 7-for-32 skid with two hits and a walk Tuesday.