Sunday Series Finale Pitching Preview
With the series at a 2-1 Atlanta advantage, the Braves look to give Hunter Greene a not-so-warm welcome to the Big Leagues. Greene is a top prospect in all of baseball according to every respected media ranking.
One huge reason is because his fastball has been clocked at 104 mph more than once, & has even touched 105. During one game last season he threw nearly forty pitches over 100 mph in a AA game.
That doesn’t necessarily translate to on-field results however, as he has a career 13-16 record in the minor leagues over 42 starts.
I expect the Braves veteran-laden lineup to make his day difficult. Sporting a 3.71:1 K/BB ratio, Greene will have to improve that this afternoon in Atlanta if he wants to come away with his first MLB win.
Braves
The Braves will be led by Ian Anderson. He’s getting the start in Game 4 instead of his usual Game 3 so he could have an extra day of rest following his last start in Spring Training.
Ian’s currently riding a 5-inning no-hit streak, dating back to the World Series that he’ll try to extend.
I expect him to keep the Reds at two runs or less when he hands the ball to the bullpen. The top 3 batters in the Reds lineup are off to a slow start this year, if Ian keeps that going he’ll secure the series win for Atlanta.
The only guys unavailable in the bullpen are Will Smith & AJ Minter, I believe. Both guys have already appeared twice in this series. While they’re capable of pitching again today, we have the arm barn depth to let them stay spectators today.
I’d think Collin McHugh would get another crack at the Reds today, should Ian not last more than 5 innings. My 8th & 9th prediction is Matzek then Kanley.
Standings
With a Braves win and:
Mets win-New York would stay atop the NL East with a 1.000 win percentage.
Mets loss-we’d be tied atop the NL East at the close of Opening Weekend.
Phillies loss-Philly would be in 2nd at 2-1.
Phillies win-Philly would be atop the NL East with a 1.000 win percentage.