<img alt="Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bi9kkHaMpsC2InIN_2A0p8NzA_U=/343x0:4051x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73518955/2166270664.0.jpg">
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The Braves won a pitching duel Monday night in their series opener. Now they need a bounce back performance from Charlie Morton. At this juncture, the Atlanta Braves will take a win anyway they can get it. Dominant pitching was the theme Monday night in the series opener as Chris Sale and Blake Snell went head-to-head in a 1-0 Braves win in 10 innings. Atlanta will try to make it two straight Tuesday when Charlie Morton matches up against San Francisco lefty Kyle Harrison.
Morton will be looking to bounce back from one of his worst starts of the season where he was tagged for eight runs and four home runs in just 2 2⁄3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Morton has had an up and down season overall for the Braves and has been on a stretch where he has alternated good starts with bad. He’d definitely been trending in the wrong direction of late though posting a 7.11 FIP in July and an 8.49 FIP in August. On the other hand, Morton had a 4.57 FIP in July and a 3.88 FIP so far in August. He has a 35.0% HR/FB ratio since the All-Star break which is an absurd number of homers.
Morton, who is in his age-40 season, has lost a full tick on his fastball and opponents have a .588 slugging percentage against the pitch. His curveball has been his most effective pitch and still has plenty of spin. When he has been able to command the curveball, Morton has been good. When it has been off, he has had to search for answers and the results often haven’t been great.
Harrison is in his first full season as part of the Giants rotation after debuting during the second half of 2023. He produced a 2.66 ERA through four starts in July but has not pitched as well in August. Harrison allowed six runs, including four homers in just 3 2⁄3 innings two starts ago in Cincinnati. He allowed two runs but was unable to get through the fifth inning in his last start in Washington. Harrison has a 3.47 ERA and a 2.81 FIP in 49 1⁄3 innings at Oracle Park.
The Braves did just enough offensively Monday to secure the win with Travis d’Arnaud delivering a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to push the only run of the game across. Atlanta’s offense put up some big numbers over the weekend in Colorado, but unfortunately it only led to one win. The Braves have a 106 wRC+ as a team against left-handed pitchers this season which is 14th in the majors. They have a 95 wRC+ which 20th against right-handers.
Tuesday’s game is scheduled to get underway at 9:45 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, August 13, 9:45 p.m. ET
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
TV: Bally Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM
<img alt="Milwaukee Brewers v Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bi9kkHaMpsC2InIN_2A0p8NzA_U=/343x0:4051x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73518955/2166270664.0.jpg">
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The Braves won a pitching duel Monday night in their series opener. Now they need a bounce back performance from Charlie Morton. At this juncture, the Atlanta Braves will take a win anyway they can get it. Dominant pitching was the theme Monday night in the series opener as Chris Sale and Blake Snell went head-to-head in a 1-0 Braves win in 10 innings. Atlanta will try to make it two straight Tuesday when Charlie Morton matches up against San Francisco lefty Kyle Harrison.
Morton will be looking to bounce back from one of his worst starts of the season where he was tagged for eight runs and four home runs in just 2 2⁄3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers. Morton has had an up and down season overall for the Braves and has been on a stretch where he has alternated good starts with bad. He’d definitely been trending in the wrong direction of late though posting a 7.11 FIP in July and an 8.49 FIP in August. On the other hand, Morton had a 4.57 FIP in July and a 3.88 FIP so far in August. He has a 35.0% HR/FB ratio since the All-Star break which is an absurd number of homers.
Morton, who is in his age-40 season, has lost a full tick on his fastball and opponents have a .588 slugging percentage against the pitch. His curveball has been his most effective pitch and still has plenty of spin. When he has been able to command the curveball, Morton has been good. When it has been off, he has had to search for answers and the results often haven’t been great.
Harrison is in his first full season as part of the Giants rotation after debuting during the second half of 2023. He produced a 2.66 ERA through four starts in July but has not pitched as well in August. Harrison allowed six runs, including four homers in just 3 2⁄3 innings two starts ago in Cincinnati. He allowed two runs but was unable to get through the fifth inning in his last start in Washington. Harrison has a 3.47 ERA and a 2.81 FIP in 49 1⁄3 innings at Oracle Park.
The Braves did just enough offensively Monday to secure the win with Travis d’Arnaud delivering a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to push the only run of the game across. Atlanta’s offense put up some big numbers over the weekend in Colorado, but unfortunately it only led to one win. The Braves have a 106 wRC+ as a team against left-handed pitchers this season which is 14th in the majors. They have a 95 wRC+ which 20th against right-handers.
Tuesday’s game is scheduled to get underway at 9:45 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, August 13, 9:45 p.m. ET
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
TV: Bally Sports South
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM
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