It’s smoke or be smoked for Atlanta as they battle the Royals.
August, and everything after, is only a few days away and for the first time since 2017, Atlanta Braves fans are having to talk about next season because this one is cooked.
The Braves continue their road trip with a three-game match-up against the Kansas City Royals. For the third-straight series, Atlanta will face a team sitting in third-place of their respective division – this time, the American League Central. The Royals are just under the .500 mark but still alive for the final AL Wild Card spot.
The Royals picked-up Randal Grichuk from Arizona last week to help with their outfield situation after trading for Adam Frazier to add infield and outfield depth from Pittsburgh. Their infield features two of the best young position players in the AL, shortstop Bobby Witt, Jr., and fellow All-Star, third baseman/utility man, Maikel Garcia; but their outfield has been one of the least productive in the game. The team’s starting rotation and bullpen have both been superb with four above average starters and an anonymous, but effective, set of relievers.
The beleaguered Braves have been anything but bombastic since the All-Star break dropping all but two games and are coming off of a sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. With their entire Opening Day starting rotation on the IL, the team that seemed like a World Series favorite is now one more bad week away from sporting the second worst record in the National League.
The trade deadline is almost here so this could be the final days in an Atlanta uniform for a few Braves. On a positive note, outfielder Michael Harris II looks to maybe, finally, turning the corner with his offensive performance.
Diehards and sickos will watch the Braves, even as their season is as charred as the burnt ends the team will likely enjoy while dining in Kansas City.
As for the casuals? Well, college football and the NFL is just around the corner.
Here are the start times for each of this week’s games against the Royals.
- Monday, July 28 – 7:40 PM EDT
- Tuesday, July 29 – 7:40 PM EDT
- Wednesday, July 30 – 2:10 PM EDT
Broadcast options for these games include:
- Monday: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- Tuesday: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
- Wednesday: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast
The Braves games can be heard on the Braves Radio Network. Games are also available to stream on MLB.tv (blackout restrictions apply) and the FanDuel Sports Network (restrictions apply).