Atlanta Braves
· 2026-07-11
Atlanta Braves entered Friday’s game at Busch Stadium with a 54-39 record, sitting third in the National League and riding a one‑game winning streak, after falling 2-1 to the Cardinals on July 11.
Left‑hander Chris Sale (9-6, 2.27 ERA) took the mound for Atlanta, marking his 17th start of the season. He entered the game with a 1.11 WHIP and a career ERA of 1.13 against St. Louis. Sale’s last outing was a five‑inning, three‑run effort in a 14-3 win over the Mets. Right‑hander Kyle Leahy (7-4, 3.86 ERA) countered for the Cardinals, boasting a 1.44 WHIP and a solid 0.78 WHIP in his five previous appearances versus the Braves. Both pitchers had kept runs low all season, setting up a tight duel.
Atlanta’s lineup featured a hot start from shortstop Jim Jarvis, who went 3‑for‑5 with a two‑run homer in the previous game against Pittsburgh. Designated hitter Drake Baldwin reached base three times, adding two singles and a walk. The Braves have out‑performed St. Louis in most offensive categories this year, giving them a clear edge. Yet the Cardinals’ bullpen, bolstered by Jordan Walker’s three‑run blast against Milwaukee, could tighten the scoring.
BetMGM listed the Braves as -170 favorites on the moneyline, with a -1.5 run line at +105. The over/under was set at eight runs, leaning toward the under at -105. Analysts highlighted Sale’s tendency to allow two runs or fewer in 13 of his 16 starts, making the under a tempting play. The run line was deemed risky because both starters have shown the ability to limit scoring.
A win would push the Braves to 55-39, extending their streak and tightening the race for the NL wild‑card. A loss would drop them to 54-40, allowing the Cardinals to close the gap in the standings. The matchup also offered a chance for Sale to improve his already impressive road numbers—4-4 with a 2.96 ERA—while Leahy aimed to keep his home ERA under 3.20.
Expect Sale to work deep into the sixth inning, relying on his 10.6 K/9 rate to keep the Cardinals off balance. If Leahy can match his recent five‑inning, zero‑run effort against Chicago, the game could stay under eight runs. Atlanta’s bullpen will need to hold the line in the later innings, especially if the Cardinals manage to string together a few late‑inning hits.
A victory would reinforce the team’s offensive firepower and solidify Sale’s reputation as a postseason‑ready ace. Even a close loss would still showcase the Braves’ resilience after a narrow 2-1 defeat in St. Louis. Fans will be watching every at‑bat, hoping the Braves can turn the tide and keep their NL third‑place position secure.