Rangers at Braves

ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves close their three-game series Sunday afternoon at Truist Park, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. EDT and thunderstorms likely in the forecast.

Texas (50-48) enters the series finale coming off a 7-6 win Saturday that snapped a brief skid. Right-hander Grant Holmes (5-4) is the probable starter for the Rangers. Atlanta (56-41) leads the National League East by a comfortable margin and will counter with a pitcher to be announced.

The weather outlook calls for a 40 percent chance of rain, with temperatures around 87 degrees at game time.

Players to watch

Rangers left-handed reliever Jacob Latz has been nearly untouchable of late. Over his last seven appearances dating to June 25, Latz has allowed two earned runs across 9 1/3 innings, striking out nine. He worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s win, extending a stretch in which he has yielded just one hit in his previous four outings.

Braves left-handed reliever Dylan Dodd has also been effective in recent weeks. Over his last nine appearances, Dodd has allowed three earned runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out nine. He tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday in the loss.

Recent history

Saturday’s one-run affair followed a 15-1 Braves blowout Friday. In that game, Evan Carter homered and drove in two runs for Texas, and left-hander MacKenzie Gore struck out seven over 5 2/3 innings. For Atlanta, Michael Harris II homered and drove in a run.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 Texas victory.

Up next

After Sunday’s game, Texas returns home for a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox beginning Monday. Atlanta hosts the San Diego Padres for a four-game set starting Monday.