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The surging San Francisco Giants will face the Atlanta Braves in a three-game series

Theo

The San Francisco Giants will test their newfound offensive power when they open a three-game road series Tuesday against the pitching depth of the Atlanta Braves.

The Giants beat the rival Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 on Sunday to win their three-game series. They have won five of seven games since snapping a five-game losing streak.

The Braves lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Sunday in their bid to win the three-game series. Atlanta is 11-6 in its last 17 games.

Giants vs Braves Game Preview

This will be the first meeting between the Giants and Braves this year. Atlanta won four of six games last year and two of three at home.

The pitching matchup features a pair of right-handers: Atlanta’s Reynaldo Lopez (6-2, 1.70 ERA) against San Francisco rookie Hayden Birdsong (0-0, 5.79).

The Giants scored 21 runs against the Dodgers, the most in a three-game series against Los Angeles since Oracle Park opened in 2000. In Sunday’s game, each of the nine players in the starting lineup had a hit, something that hadn’t happened since June 11, 2023, against the Chicago Cubs.

San Francisco has scored at least three runs in each of its last 11 games, the longest active streak in the major leagues.

The Giants’ leading hitter has been third baseman Matt Chapman. He has hit safely in all seven home games, with a .385 batting average, three homers, two doubles, seven runs and nine RBIs. Chapman hit his 11th homer Sunday.

Designated hitter Jorge Soler, a former Brave, finished June with a .284 average, an .845 OPS, 10 doubles, three homers, 15 RBIs and 21 runs in 26 games.

Atlanta’s injury-riddled roster continues to struggle with inconsistency without injured outfielders Michael Harris II – who is expected to return from a hamstring strain shortly after the All-Star Game – and Ronald Acuna Jr., who is out for the season after ACL surgery.

The Braves continue to be led by designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who ranks second in the National League in home runs (21) and RBIs (67). Atlanta has scored two runs or fewer 24 times this season, matching its 2023 total.

“Every year is different,” Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley said. “We go through some challenges. I feel like we haven’t quite come together offensively yet.”

Riley, who was sidelined for more than two weeks with an oblique issue in May, is starting to show his form. Riley has hit six homers in the last 16 games and is hitting .289 in June.

Lopez has won four straight and is coming off a victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday in which he allowed two runs on four hits, four walks and five strikeouts in five innings. He would lead the major leagues in earned run average, but he has pitched just 79 1/3 innings, 2 2/3 innings short of the minimum requirement.

Lopez has made four career appearances (including one start) against the Giants, posting a 4.50 ERA with no decisions. His last start against San Francisco came in 2016.

Birdsong will be making his second career start. He made his debut Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs and allowed three runs on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

“He’s got talent,” Giants receiver Patrick Bailey said. “Talent. We just have to keep him in the game.”

–Field level media

San Francisco Giants Upcoming Schedule

  • Tuesday July 2 – Thursday July 4 – @ Atlanta Braves
  • Friday July 5 – Sunday July 7 – @Cleveland Guardians
  • Tuesday July 9 – Thursday July 11 – against the Toronto Blue Jays
  • Friday July 12 – Sunday July 14 – against the Minnesota Twins
  • From Monday July 15 to Thursday July 18 – MLB All-Star Break
  • Monday July 15 – The home run derby
  • Tuesday July 16 – MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas

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