Atlanta’s magic number to clinch the NL East is nine
The Atlanta Braves will try to complete a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks when the two teams wrap up a four-game series Thursday afternoon at Chase Field. The Braves banged out three more home runs in Wednesday’s 9-2 win and have now scored 26 runs over the first three games of the series. Ozzie Albies became the third Braves infielder to join the 30-homer club with a two-run shot in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s win.
That victory pushed the Braves back to ten games over .500 at 80-70 and reduced their magic number to clinch the NL East to nine games.
Charlie Morton will make his 31st start of the season for the Braves Thursday. Morton has put together an excellent season in his return to Atlanta and has been even better down the stretch. He has a 3.30 ERA and a 3.26 FIP in 71 innings since the All-Star break. Morton allowed four hits and two runs over five innings in his last start in San Francisco. He has allowed 12 hits and seven runs in his last three starts combined.
The last time Atlanta saw Madison Bumgarner they were held without a hit over seven innings in Game 2 of a doubleheader. It has been an up and down season from Bumgarner since. He made just one start in June and was placed on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He pitched well after returning but has struggled a bit in September. Bumgarner is however coming off a good performance against the Astros where he allowed just one hit and two runs over seven innings.
Thursday’s game is scheduled to begin at 3:40 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: September 23, 3:40 p.m. ET
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: Bally Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network
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