Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants Picks and Predictions July 3rd 2024

Braves’ Chris Sale Faces Giants, Looks to Lock Up 11th Win and All-Star Slot

Atlanta pitcher Chris Sale could all but clinch a spot on the All-Star Game roster on Wednesday night when the Braves try to square their series with the visiting San Francisco Giants.

The Giants hit three home runs on Tuesday to win the opening game of the three-game set 5-3.

Chris Sale’s Performance and All-Star Prospects

Chris Sale (10-3, 2.79 ERA) has been a standout performer this season. Tied with Philadelphia’s Ranger Suarez for the most wins in the National League and ranking seventh in strikeouts in the majors, Sale is poised to make a significant impact. He will face off against San Francisco right-hander Jordan Hicks (4-4, 3.36 ERA) on Wednesday.

In his most recent start, Sale struck out a season-high 11 batters over seven innings against the Chicago White Sox. However, he took the loss after giving up a solo home run to Luis Robert Jr. in the first inning, resulting in a 1-0 defeat.

“Not too often a first-inning solo homer wins a game, but it happens,” Sale said. “We just got to keep plugging away, keep doing our thing. It’s not early anymore, by any means, but we still know what we have to do, and we’ve just got to keep playing good baseball and not get too down when it’s not good and not get too up when it is.”

Sale has made two career starts against the Giants, boasting a 1-0 record with a 1.93 ERA. Both starts occurred in 2014, making Wednesday’s game a fresh challenge.

Jordan Hicks’ Performance and Challenges

Jordan Hicks has been a consistent force since transitioning to a starting role this season with the Giants. He has pitched five-plus innings in 13 of his 17 starts. Despite this consistency, Hicks has lost his past three decisions and hasn’t secured a win since May 19.

In his most recent start against the Chicago Cubs, Hicks allowed three runs on five hits, two walks, and struck out seven in five innings. The Cubs eventually won 5-3 in 10 innings.

Hicks has already thrown a career-high 85 2/3 innings this season, surpassing his previous high of 77 2/3 innings as a reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018.

“He keeps himself in great shape,” San Francisco manager Bob Melvin said. “Obviously, there’s going to be periods when the velo is going to be down and maybe not as crisp with some of his breaking stuff. Whether that’s where he is in the innings right now, I’m not sure, but the last few games they’ve made him work pretty hard.”

Hicks will make his first career start against the Braves. He has made nine relief appearances against them, with limited success, posting a 6.75 ERA with one save. In his only appearance against the Braves in 2023, Hicks allowed two runs in two innings during an 8-4 loss while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Roster Moves and Player Updates

Both teams made significant roster moves to start the series. The Giants activated outfielder Mike Yastrzemski on Tuesday, who delivered a solid performance, going 2-for-2. Yastrzemski had been on the injured list since June 21 due to a left oblique strain.

The Braves activated left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, who had been out since May 30 with a left hip impingement. However, Minter did not play in the series opener.

Atlanta is likely to be without starting shortstop Orlando Arcia, who missed Tuesday’s game due to an abscessed tooth, and outfielder Ramon Laureano, who is sidelined with back discomfort. Additionally, pitching coach Rick Kranitz is away from the team due to a family matter.

Conclusion

Wednesday night’s game promises to be a crucial matchup for both teams. Chris Sale’s pursuit of his 11th win and a spot on the All-Star roster adds an extra layer of excitement, while Jordan Hicks looks to regain his winning form. The recent roster moves and player updates could also play pivotal roles in the game’s outcome.

This game is not only an opportunity for Sale to solidify his All-Star status but also a chance for the Braves to level the series against a determined Giants team.

Take your MLB handicapping to the next level with our expert MLB handicappers