The starting pitching matchup between these two went well the first time. Let’s not talk about what happened when they both left and instead focus on the future, right?
Two teams that have had a tough time since meeting up in Boston not too long ago are set to square off once again tonight. The Atlanta Braves are back home after splitting a costly doubleheader against the Phillies and now they’re getting set to take on the Boston Red Sox.
We got a rematch on our hands as far as the pitching matchup goes, as Grant Holmes is getting the ball to start this one for the Braves against Lucas Giolito. The last time this matchup took place, it went really well for the Braves while the two of them were out there. Grant Holmes went six innings and gave up two runs on three hits (though he did walk four batters) and when he left the game, the Braves were up 6-2.
This was after Atlanta’s lineup chased Giolito from the game after just four innings and those six runs allowed on eight hits and three dingers. Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Marcell Ozuna all did damage against Giolito when it came to hitting the long ball in that one and if not for a bullpen collapse, this would’ve been an emphatic win for the Braves — instead, it turned into a heartbreaker after Rafael Devers crushed a walk-off dinger.
Speaking of Devers, now that Alex Bregman is currently on the IL, he’s essentially been called upon to carry the Red Sox. With that being said, he’s been having a rough go of it lately and that probably has a lot to do with them struggling like they have. Instead, guys like Abraham Toro and Jarren Duran have been doing most of the damage at the plate. Those two figure to be the most dangerous guys for the Red Sox in tonight’s contest but we’ll also see if Devers picks up where he left off against the Braves back in Boston.
It would certainly be great if the Braves picked up where they left off against Lucas Giolito back in Boston. I mentioned that Matt Olson went deep against Giolito when they met up earlier — that was actually the fourth homer that Olson has hit off of Giolito in their careers. Olson’s actually dominated Giolito in the past, as he has an OPS of 2.062 over 13 plate appearances against Giolito. Additionally, Ronald Acuña Jr. has also homered off of Giolito in the past. Let’s see more of that tonight, please!
With all of that being said, it would certainly be gutsy if the Braves pulled off the win tonight. They got in late from Philadelphia after playing a day/night doubleheader yesterday. You’re not going to hear any of the players make excuses since this type of scenario comes with the territory of playing in the big leagues but they are still human. If it takes a while for this lineup to get going then that’ll likely be the reason why. However, maybe this lineup getting a second helping of Lucas Giolito could have them doing damage right out of the gate. We’ll just have to tune in tonight in order to see what happens, now won’t we?
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, May 30, 7:35 p.m. EDT
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: None
Streaming: Apple TV+
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan