Braves aim to avoid series sweep against Dodgers tonight; plan OutKast tribute Thursday

Caption

First baseman Matt Olson plays in a game against the Red Sox, May 10, 2023.

Credit: Peter Biello

The Atlanta Braves hope to avoid a series sweep as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night at Truist Park.

Braves pitchers Charlie Morton and Spencer Strider had trouble in the first two games shutting down a powerful offense, led in part by former Braves infielder Freddie Freeman. 

Adding to Atlanta’s woes were first baseman Matt Olson’s two defensive errors and the fact that strong starting pitchers — Kyle Wright and Max Fried — are on the injured list.

Manager Brian Snitker said, for now, the Braves are relying on other starters.

“It’s just waiting for those guys to continue to get more starts and hopefully a few of those guys get on a roll, too, because we’re going to need ‘em all at some point in time,” he said after Tuesday's 8-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Also noteworthy: Though he took the loss, pitcher Spencer Strider still racked up 11 strikeouts. Strider currently leads the majors in strikeouts with a season total of 97. Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays trails him with 81. 

Snitker said he thought Strider threw the ball pretty well Tuesday, but Strider didn’t let himself off the hook.

“Generally I hold myself to a standard that if I get a guy with two strikes and he gets on base, I messed up, so just couple of times I didn’t execute," Strider said. "Sometimes you get away with it. More times than not you do, but they’re talented. They’ll make you pay.”

On Thursday, the Braves will pay tribute to the iconic Atlanta hip hop duo OutKast with music and art inside and outside Truist Park as they begin a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

At Thursday's game, the first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive an OutKast bobblehead featuring members Big Boi and André 3000 wearing Braves gear and riding in a red convertible. Big Boi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the playbill will feature specialty OutKast artwork and content. 

Big Boi will also be joining Brandon Gaudin and Jeff Francoeur in the broadcast booth during the game for the Bally Sports Southeast broadcast.

As for festivities outside the park, Biological Misfits, featuring Malcolm Jamal-Warner, will perform OutKast tribute music on the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage in The Battery Atlanta beginning at 6 p.m.