Braves at Red Sox Preview

BOSTON (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox conclude their two-game series Thursday evening at Fenway Park, with the first-place Braves looking to rebound from a lopsided loss.

Left-hander Chris Sale (7-3) is scheduled to start for Atlanta (37-18), which holds the best record in the National League. The Red Sox (22-31) have not announced their starter for the 7:10 p.m. game.

The Braves were shut out 7-0 on Wednesday after winning Tuesday’s series opener 7-6. Atlanta had taken three of the previous four head-to-head meetings this season before Wednesday.

Weather at game time is forecast at 83 degrees with clouds.

Players to watch

Braves center fielder Michael Harris II went 4 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in Tuesday’s victory. Over his past 10 games, Harris is batting .333 (11 for 33) with three homers and eight RBIs, though he was 0 for 4 in Wednesday’s loss.

Red Sox infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been productive against Atlanta this series. He went 2 for 3 with a homer and three RBIs in Tuesday’s loss and singled in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday.

Recent series history

The teams have split 10 games this season, with Atlanta winning five of eight before Wednesday. Boston took two of three at Truist Park from May 15-17, while the Braves won two of three in Boston entering Thursday.

Next up

Atlanta begins a three-game series Friday at Cincinnati, followed by a six-game homestand against Toronto and Pittsburgh. Boston opens a three-game series Friday at Cleveland.

Game notes

The Interstat sports projection model favors Atlanta 5-3. The Braves are -1.5 run-line favorites, with the over/under set at 7 runs.

Sale has not faced Boston this season. He allowed two earned runs over six innings in his last start against Pittsburgh on May 22.

The Braves have the best road record in the majors at 21-6 entering Thursday. Boston is 13-13 at Fenway Park.