Chris Sale Starts as Braves - Marlins Series Tilts Toward Atlanta

Chris Sale started Wednesday night in braves - marlins, and Atlanta was trying to turn Tuesday’s win into two straight against Miami. The Braves had lost Monday night, so this game carried immediate series weight at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Sale Takes the Ball

Sale got the start for Atlanta against Janson Junk, giving the Braves a chance to lean on one of their most reliable arms while they pushed to stay ahead in the series. Atlanta was looking for two wins in a row over the Marlins and a result that would set up a potential series win.

The matchup also put Sale’s recent form back in the frame. He had pitched well enough to win in his previous two starts against the Dodgers and Cubs, but the Braves scored one run in each of those games and lost both, leaving him with strong work that did not change the final result.

Janson Junk’s Recent Line

Junk came in with uneven results. He had allowed at least three runs in four of his nine starts, gave up four runs over six innings against the Nationals on May 9, and was tagged for seven runs over 5.2 innings against the Rays five days before this game.

There was also a familiar note on the other side. Junk last faced the Braves in June of last season, when he allowed one run in five innings and Miami won comfortably.

Braves Bats Versus Junk

Atlanta had a few individual matchups to lean on. Mike Yastrzemski went five at-bats against Junk without a hit, while Ronald Acuña Jr. had two hits in three previous plate appearances against him.

The radio side of the game gave Atlanta listeners two options, with coverage on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan and La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM. For the Braves, the task was straightforward: back Sale early enough to keep the series from slipping into a finale where they would need to salvage a split.

Let’s see what happens, y’all.