The Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves continue their weekend series at Truist Field on Saturday. So far, the season has been a total bust for the Braves. The issue with the team has been the lack of health, and that doesn’t even begin to describe all that’s been happening. It would appear at this point that the New York Mets are currently favored to win the NL East at season’s end.
The Braves have dealt with hardship and have not been the same team. They have not reached a World Series since the mid-90’s as the Atlanta sports curse has remained so very real. For all of the amazing hitting and pitching, they have been residing here, and they always find new ways to disappoint their fanbase. Perhaps they just need to play hard and may have to chalk the season up as a bust.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, will, without a doubt, make the playoffs. And this time, it might be as a Wild Card. They won the American League during the odd, shortened COVID season. They broke through then, and even after trading key guys and losing others to injury, they have been able to keep pace with the Boston Red Sox. The goal for them has to be to hoist the “piece of metal,” AKA the World Series trophy.
ODDS
Saturday’s spread is set now at TBR -1.5. The over/under is 8.5 runs.
Rays Looking to Stay Hot
As they try and keep the wins coming, Tampa Bay is going to trot Josh Fleming out to the mound for Saturday’s game. He’s been a guy serving sort of as another Ryan Yarbrough here. He can go 5-7 innings occasionally, but he will probably provide at least 3-4 quality innings whenever he comes out.
This is going to mark appearance #15 for Fleming and start number seven. This is only going to be his second start against an NL team, and he put up a solid outing in the first one against the Mets.
For the team to come away with the win, they will need to have their bats going. Atlanta is losing a lot right now, but their turnaround could start at any time.
Braves Trying to Turn Things Around
The losses have been coming in bunches for the Braves throughout 2021. At 44-46, they have a losing record to this point which is one of the biggest surprises of the year. The team is not anywhere near the media or the team expected.
27-year-old Max Fried is going to get the nod for Atlanta. He has gone 6-5, posting a rather unimpressive 4.71 ERA. The pitching ability he has is just not coming through as it should. There has been so much disappointment throughout the starting rotation, which is one of many issues.
Other than Charlie Morton, who was picked up from Tampa Bay, things have just not been the same for their guys. Either way, they have to be better.
Rays Win!
Tampa Bay is going to keep things rolling on Saturday as they move another game closer to Boston.
FREE PLAY: TBR -1.5
OVER/UNDER: UNDER 8.5 RUNS
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