Braves host Rays at Truist Park seeking to avoid three-game series sweep

The Atlanta Braves face the Tampa Bay Rays at Truist Park on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. EDT. Atlanta attempts to avoid a series sweep following two consecutive losses in which the offense significantly underperformed its expected weighted on-base average. Martín Pérez takes the mound for the Braves, looking to bounce back after exiting early in a September 5 start against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rays counter with Nick Martinez, who has recorded 2.6 fWAR over 160 innings this season. Atlanta currently holds a narrow lead in their division, and a loss could reduce that margin to two games ahead of an upcoming weekend series against the Phillies. The Braves have struggled to convert offensive opportunities into runs throughout the current series, despite frequently generating quality contact against Rays pitching.

• 1:00 PMYahoo Sports — Braves look to avoid another karmic smackdown, getting swept by Rays