I hope you have gotten some good rest since yesterday’s rubber game with Cincinnati. And I hope these three games against the AL Central-leading Twins are less stressful than the weekend with the Reds.

The Braves return home after a successful 5-1 road trip to take on another Central Division leader tonight. The Minnesota Twins (40-39) lead the AL Central by two games over the Guardians, having gone 5-5 in their past 10.

Atlanta, on the other hand, is 50-27. They are winners of nine of their last 10 and 17-out-of-20. The offense has been rolling and the bullpen is in need of some rest. The Braves hope Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder can eat some innings in the first two games of this three-game set.

The pitching matchups look like this:

Sonny Gray (4-1, 2.56) vs. Strider (8-2, 3.93)

Joe Ryan (8-4, 2.98) vs. Elder (5-1, 2.40)

Kenta Made (1-4, 6.86) vs. TBD

ASS sent to Gwinnett

The Braves optioned 20 year-old rookie, AJ Smith-Shawver, back to Gwinnett Monday and recalled Dereck Rodriguez to add a bullpen arm after the rough weekend in Cincinnati. All signs seem to point to the International League Pitcher of the Week, Michael Soroka, being recalled to make the Wednesday afternoon start. Soroka threw a one-hitter last week and would work on an extra days rest if he gets the nod Wednesday.

I’d love to see Austin Riley, Eddie Rosario, and Michael Harris II do damage tonight against Gray. Matt Olson may as well homer again, too!

Who you got to make some noise? First pitch at Truist Park will take place at 7:20 ET.