Braves vs. Rays Rubber Match Preview

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) runs around the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Braves (4-10) and Tampa Bay Rays (6-8) are set to clash in the rubber match of their series on today at 1:40 PM EDT at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Both teams have secured a win each, setting the stage for an exciting finale.

Series Recap:

In the series opener on Friday, the Rays snapped a losing streak by defeating the Braves 6-3. Danny Jansen led Tampa Bay's offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Starting pitcher Taj Bradley delivered a strong performance, allowing just one run over six innings with seven strikeouts.

The Braves responded on Saturday with a 5-4 victory, highlighted by a ninth-inning two-run homer from Michael Harris II, breaking a 3-3 tie. Sean Murphy contributed significantly with two solo home runs and a caught stealing, demonstrating his strength behind the plate at catcher. Ozzie Albies also added a solo shot, emphasizing the Braves' reliance on the long ball. Starter AJ Smith-Shawver pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out seven.

Pitching Matchup:

The series finale will feature a compelling pitching duel between veteran left-hander Chris Sale for the Braves and emerging right-hander Shane Baz for the Rays.

• Chris Sale (ATL): The 36-year-old southpaw, has had a challenging start to the 2025 season. Through three starts, Sale holds a 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA and 17 strikeouts. Notably, his fastball velocity has declined, averaging 92.7 mph in his most recent outing, the lowest since early 2024. This decrease has raised concerns about his effectiveness and potential underlying issues.

• Joe Boyle (TB): Making his first start for the Rays after being with the Oakland A's last season. Boyle went 3-6 last season with a 6.42 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched. Shane Baz was originally supposed to start for Tampa Bay but got moved to tomorrow's game against the Boston Red Sox.

Key Players to Watch:

• Sean Murphy (ATL): Murphy's recent offensive surge, including two home runs in the last game, coupled with his defensive skills, underscores his importance as the Braves' primary catcher.

• Nick Allen (ATL): Allen's three-hit game, featuring a crucial double to start the ninth inning on Saturday, indicates his growing confidence and potential impact on the lineup.

• Jonathan Aranda (TB): Aranda has been a consistent offensive force for the Rays, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the yesterday's game.

Rubber Match Outlook:

With the series tied, both teams will be eager to claim the rubber match. The Braves will look to continue from yesterday's late game spark at the plate, and hopefully overcome the issue of leaving runners on base. While the Rays aim to leverage Boyle's first start with the team to secure a series win at home. The performance of the starting pitchers, particularly Sale's ability to overcome his velocity concerns and Boyle's fresh start with a new team, will be critical in determining the outcome of this matchup.