Lineup, how to watch the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays in the Sunday series finale
There's not much left to say - the Atlanta Braves are the hottest team in baseball, still. They've hit the most HRs in MLB history before the All-Star Break (167), have the longest streak of consecutive games with a homer in MLB history (25), and have won their last eleven series, a streak that dates back to late May when they dropped a series to Oakland (!)
Atlanta's looking to sweep the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon, in what would be a disastrous month for the Rays - after starting the season with a 13-game win streak, tying the MLB record, they haven't won a game in the month of July, sitting at 0-7. Atlanta's aiming to continue that streak this afternoon.
Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, July 9th
Here's how the Atlanta Braves will line up for today's contest:
As is usual for Atlanta, they're swapping catchers for a day game after a night game, with Travis d'Arnaud entering the lineup in place of the red-hot Sean Murphy, batting 5th. Eddie Rosario continues in left field, batting 7th, one spot ahead of DH Marcell Ozuna.
Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, July 9th
Atlanta's sending All-Star Bryce Elder to the mound for the series finale. 7-1 with a 2.45 ERA on the season, Elder's struck out 80 batters in his 102.2 innings. He's never faced Tampa Bay, and no one in this lineup has a major league at-bat against him.
Tampa's trying to salvage the series behind Zach Eflin. He's currently 9-4 with a 3.24 ERA in his sixteen starts this season, with 100 strikeouts in 97.1 innings. It's his first season in Tampa Bay, but he's a familiar opponent to these Atlanta Braves: He debuted for Philadelphia in 2016 and spent the first seven years of his career as a Philly. Most members of the starting lineup, with the exception of CF Michael Harris II, have faced Eflin numerous times, and several Braves (Ronald Acuña Jr, Ozzie Albies, Travis d'Arnaud) have taken him deep.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, July 9th
Today's final game before the All-Star Break is a 1:40 ET first pitch, and the broadcast will be on Bally Sports Southeast. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com.
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