Jays look to play spoiler to Braves' playoff hopes

The visiting Toronto Blue Jays will try to continue their dominance over Atlanta and derail the Braves' playoff hopes when the teams open a three-game series on Friday.

The Blue Jays have won nine consecutive games against the Braves, sweeping a three-game home series in 2023 after capturing all six meetings, three at each site, in 2021.

The Braves (76-64) can't afford a sustained skid if they want to make the playoffs. They are tied with the New York Mets for the final National League wild-card spot. Atlanta just won two of three against the visiting Colorado Rockies but lost the series finale 3-1 on Thursday.

"It's just frustrating," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "We couldn't score. We just couldn't get anything going offensively. ... I mean, we've been battling all year, really up and down and looking, waiting for a run. You'll see signs of it, and we can't get any toehold to keep going. It's a shame because the starting pitching we're getting is just so good. We'll turn the page and get after it (Friday)."

The Blue Jays (67-74) are not in the playoff picture and have lost three straight, including both games of a road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week. Toronto did not play on Thursday.

Atlanta will send left-hander Max Fried (8-8, 3.52 ERA) to the mound on Friday while Toronto will answer with right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-10, 4.07).

Gausman has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his past five starts. In his latest outing, against the Minnesota Twins on Aug. 30, he took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Gausman fell to 1-5 with a 6.61 ERA against the Twins.

"They've always kind of been my Kryptonite, especially the last couple of years," Gausman said. "For whatever reason, their lineup always kind of gives me trouble."

Gausman has made two career starts against the Braves, compiling a 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings without a decision. He pitched for Atlanta in 2018 and 2019, going 8-10 with a 4.77 ERA in 26 starts.

Fried lost to the Phillies in his latest start on Saturday, when he allowed three runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts over seven innings.

"Made some good pitches to some good hitters (who) made some good swings and hit the ball, and made some mistakes and maybe walked a couple guys that I wish I hadn't," Fried said.

Fried has made two career starts against Toronto, going 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA. He last faced them in 2021.

The series features two of the hottest hitters in the major leagues -- Atlanta's Marcell Ozuna and Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Since the All-Star break, Guerrero is batting .419 (67-for-160) with 19 doubles, one triple, 14 homers and 35 RBIs. Over that span, he leads the majors in hits, doubles, extra-base hits (34) and total bases (130), slugging percentage (.813) and OPS (1.302). He had a four-hit game against Philadelphia on Tuesday.

The lone consistent bat for Atlanta this season, Ozuna went 2-for-4 on Thursday and upped his batting average to .307, second in the National League. He also ranks second in home runs (37) and third in RBIs (98).

--Field Level Media