Boston @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2018 ) Boston 5, Atlanta 1

There are plenty of pitching stars in the National League East, and Mike Foltynewicz of the Atlanta Braves is establishing himself as another arm on the rise as he starts Wednesday at home against the Boston Red Sox. Foltynewicz made his first All-Star team this season and ranks in the top 10 in the NL in ERA and strikeouts after posting a 2.09 ERA and 0.983 WHIP in six August outings for division-leading Atlanta.

The Braves have dropped the first two games against the Red Sox, falling Tuesday 5-1 on a night when Atlanta pitchers walked nine, and have stranded 21 runners on base so far in the series. Boston first baseman Steve Pearce led the way with three hits and three RBIs, and since being acquired from Toronto is hitting .296 with six homers and 19 RBIs in 36 games. The Red Sox have won six of their past eight overall and continue to smash NL teams, improving to 13-3 in interleague play this season. Boston also received good news off the field, announcing David Price (bruised left wrist) will start Friday’s series opener at home against Houston and Chris Sale (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and is targeted to return to the rotation next week.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Hector Velazquez (7-2, 3.24 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-9, 2.80)

Velazquez makes his seventh start of the season and 40th appearance overall, three days after allowing one run on two hits in one inning of relief against the Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old lost his last two starts and was hit hard, giving up nine runs (four earned) with five walks and 11 hits allowed in 6 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Aug. 19 and Aug. 24. Velazquez, who is 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA as a starter, surrendered one run on five hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief May 26-27 against the Braves.

Foltynewicz entered Tuesday fourth in the NL in ERA, fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.371), sixth in strikeouts (174) and seventh in WHIP (1.139). The 26-year-old struggled a bit in his last start, allowing five runs (four earned) in six innings to lose to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, but allowed only three earned runs in his previous 26 2/3 innings. Foltynewicz beat the Red Sox in Boston on May 27, allowing one run on three hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. At 96-44 the Red Sox need to go 10-12 the rest of the way to surpass the franchise record of 105 victories, set in 1912.

2. Atlanta SS Dansby Swanson left Tuesday’s game after being hit in the head with a pitch.

3. Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers (left hamstring injury) was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and drew a walk and scored as a pinch-hitter.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Braves 3