AP Sports Preview

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves, owners of the best record in baseball, aim for a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night at Truist Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. under clear skies with a temperature of 72 degrees.

Atlanta (41-20) has taken the first two games of this series by identical 4-3 scores. The Braves have won seven of their last 10 and hold a commanding lead in the National League East.

Toronto (29-32) will send left-hander Chris Sale (8-3, 3.12 ERA) to the mound. The veteran has been the Blue Jays’ most consistent starter, striking out 98 batters over 83 2/3 innings. Sale has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his 13 starts.

The Blue Jays have dropped two straight and four of their last six. They are 12-18 on the road this season.

Players to watch

Kevin Gausman took the loss Tuesday for Toronto, allowing four earned runs on five hits over six innings with eight strikeouts. In two starts against Atlanta this season, Gausman is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA. The right-hander has been sharp otherwise, posting a 1.74 ERA over his previous three starts against Miami, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

Bryce Elder (4-3, 3.08) earned the win Tuesday for Atlanta, scattering six hits over 6 2/3 innings while allowing three earned runs and striking out six. The right-hander has been effective at Truist Park, where he owns a 2.61 ERA in five starts. Over his last three home starts, Elder has a 1.80 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Matt Olson drove in the go-ahead run Tuesday with a solo home run, his 14th of the season. Olson has hit .375 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last seven games.

Raisel Iglesias retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning Tuesday for his 15th save.

Series history

Atlanta has won six of its last seven home games against Toronto. The Braves have outscored the Blue Jays 21-12 during their current three-game winning streak in the series.

Next up

Toronto opens a six-game homestand Friday against Baltimore. Atlanta hosts Pittsburgh on Friday to begin a 10-game homestand.

Betting line

Atlanta opened as a -1.5 favorite, according to Interstat’s game simulator, which projects a 5-4 Braves victory. The over/under is 7.5 runs.

Injuries

Toronto: 3B Vlad Guerrero Jr. (right knee soreness) is day-to-day. OF George Springer (left quad tightness) is expected to return this weekend.

Atlanta: RHP Spencer Strider (right elbow inflammation) is scheduled for a bullpen session Friday. C Travis d’Arnaud (left hamstring strain) is out indefinitely.