"This will be the first match-up of the two former National League West Division rivals this season and will mark the homecoming for Astros relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, who returned to the Braves late in Spring Training and pitched in the minors until getting his call-up to the big leagues only to make one appearance before being unceremoniously let go by the organization."
"As for the Astros, they have lost sole possession of the lead in the AL West and are coming into Atlanta tied with the Seattle Mariners for first place and have the Rangers on their heels only two games behind. The Astros have had a stronger pitching staff that position player grouping most of the season with Hunter Brown leading the rotation - and slated to face the Braves on Sunday - and a strong core of high leverage relievers."
"On the other side of the ball, shortstop Jeremy Peña has been the team's best overall player but the offense has welcomed back Carlos Correa, who the team re-acquired at prior to the trade deadline, and Yordan Alverez who was activated from the 60-day IL at the end of August. Like Peña, Isaac Paredes was an All-Star this season and has the highest OPS on the team prior to Thursday night's game."
The Atlanta Braves host the Houston Astros for a three-game series as the regular season winds down. The Astros and Mariners are tied for the AL West lead with the Rangers two games back, making the series critical for Houston. Astros reliever Craig Kimbrel returns to Atlanta after a turbulent offseason and early-season movements between organizations, and he has appeared in eight games for Houston without allowing a run despite four hits and six walks over six innings. Houston's strengths have been pitching, led by Hunter Brown and high-leverage relievers. Offensively, Jeremy Peña, Carlos Correa, Yordan Alverez, and Isaac Paredes provide production and roster depth.
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