The Atlanta Braves are riding a wave of momentum, aiming to complete a commanding three-game sweep against the visiting Miami Marlins. At the heart of their latest charge is left-handed pitcher Martin Perez, who recently delivered a stellar performance, narrowly missing a no-hitter. His upcoming start is highly anticipated as the Braves look to extend their impressive seven-game winning streak and further solidify their dominant record against the Marlins this season.
Perez, with a season record of seven wins and six losses and an earned run average of 3.24, previously took the mound against the Washington Nationals. In that memorable outing, he held the Nationals hitless through six and two-thirds innings before ultimately giving up a single hit over seven scoreless frames in an 8-3 victory. This remarkable display was even more extraordinary given the circumstances: Perez was thrust into the starting role with less than an hour's notice after fellow pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was sidelined due to a knee injury.
Atlanta's manager, Walt Weiss, lauded Perez's resilience and willingness to step up under pressure. Weiss remarked on the team's initial scramble to find a starter and Perez's immediate readiness, stating, "Martin once again showed what he's all about and what he's made of. He said, ‘I'll take the ball. I've got it. I'll start.' And 45 minutes later, he's on the mound going 6 2/3s no-hit ball. Pretty amazing." This impromptu but magnificent performance underscored Perez's crucial role in the Braves' recent success.
In past encounters with the Marlins, Perez has made six appearances, including five starts, compiling a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA. His most recent face-off against Miami occurred on May 19th, where he pitched five innings, allowing four runs and striking out a season-high ten batters in an 8-4 road win for Atlanta, though he did not factor into the decision. This history sets the stage for a compelling rematch.
Opposing Perez will be Miami's right-hander Janson Junk, who holds a 5-6 record and a 4.58 ERA. Junk secured a victory in his last start on Friday against the New York Mets, pitching five innings and surrendering only one unearned run on three hits. This marked his fourth start since returning from the injured list on July 9th due to right shin bone inflammation, indicating his return to form.
Miami's manager, Clayton McCullough, praised Junk's performance, highlighting his ability to throw strikes early and manipulate the ball with his cutter and sweeper. However, Junk's career statistics against Atlanta are less favorable, with a 1-1 record and a high 8.10 ERA in two starts. His previous encounter with the Braves on May 20th saw him give up eight runs over five innings in a significant 9-1 home loss.
On the offensive side for the Braves, Austin Riley appears to be overcoming an early-season slump. Despite being moved down to the eighth spot in the lineup, the slugging third baseman went 2-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's game. He is currently on a modest five-game hitting streak, his longest of the season, during which he has recorded eight hits in 17 at-bats, including four extra-base hits. Meanwhile, Miami's Otto Lopez, who leads the majors with 142 hits, has faced challenges on the current road trip, managing only four hits in 24 at-bats.
As the Braves prepare for this critical game, they will rely on Martin Perez's recent dominant form and the team's collective momentum to secure their fourth series sweep of the season. The matchup promises an intense divisional battle with both pitchers looking to make a significant impact for their respective teams.
