August 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Jared Kelenic (24) hits a home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park . Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports After taking care of business in San Francisco, the Atlanta Braves will complete a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night in Anaheim, California.
The Braves have won three of four games in San Francisco, moving two games ahead of the New York Mets in the multi-team race for the National League's final wild-card spot.
Atlanta coach Brian Snitker is less concerned about Thursday's 6-0 loss in San Francisco, which prevented a four-game sweep, than he is about Colorado's two losses in three days.
It was this stretch that helped bring the Mets, Giants and Cincinnati Reds closer in the chase while also energizing the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs.
“We were probably at the lowest point of the year and then we had three straight wins,” Snitker said. “I think it's good. This time of year you don't want to lose any games. Every game is important.”
Knowing center fielder Michael Harris II appears to be fully recovered from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months, the Braves headed south. He hit a grand slam and had a career-best five runs in a win at San Francisco on Wednesday, then had one of Atlanta's four hits on Thursday.
Jared Kelenic also had a hit in the Giants' final two games of the series. That's a big deal as it appears the left-handed hitter will be filling in for at least part of the weekend for Jorge Soler, who strained his hamstring on Wednesday.
An MRI on Thursday showed no apparent damage, and Soler will likely be ready to play when the Braves return home to begin a crucial series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.
The Braves could see three right-handers in Anaheim, starting with Jose Soriano (6-7, 3.36 ERA) in the series opener.
The 25-year-old might not mind seeing another National League East team after dominating the last two games against two other teams, the New York Mets and Washington Nationals. In those games, Soriano allowed just one run and nine hits in 12 innings, striking out 13 and walking three.
He was denied a win in his most recent start in Washington, as he allowed just two carries. The Angels have lost five of their past six games, four of which have been held by two runs or fewer.
Angels head coach Ron Washington expects three key arms — Logan O'Hope, Zach Neto and Joe Adell — to have a stronger start against the Braves before resting on Wednesday and Thursday attack.
“Neto was the only one complaining,” Washington said. “He wrote me a long note saying he didn't need a day off and wanted to grind with the other guys. Sometimes you have to take things away from them.”
Soriano has faced just seven Braves batters in his career, all of them scoreless in four relief games last season.
Braves rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (4-5, 3.95 ERA) will face the Angels for the first time. He has performed well in his last three starts, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA while striking out 28 times in 20 innings.
–Scene-level media