Alright, it’s getting to be that time of evening where you stop focusing on whatever’s been going on in your world and you get to focus for a few hours on what’s happening on the baseball diamond. The Braves are taking on the Blue Jays tonight and it’s pretty big when you consider that Mike Soroka is going to be throwing in front of his fellow Canadians. Hopefully he’ll be able to help the Braves pick up a win, as well. It’s time to discuss the game, so I’ll leave it to you all.<doc-sep>Greetings! It is hump day but there is baseball to consume. Join us throughout the afternoon for all the latest and be cordial to one another in the comments. Ready, set, baseball. PREVIEW | LINEUPS<doc-sep>The Atlanta Braves head back out on the road Tuesday for a brief two-game set in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Atlanta just wrapped up a 5-1 home stand taking 3-of-4 from the San Diego Padres. The Blue Jays come in playing well having just swept the Washington Nationals. They have won 7-of-10 overall but are still way behind the Red Sox and Yankees with a 33-38 record. Tuesday, June 19, 7:07 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast) Mike Soroka (2018: 4 GS 2-1 W-L, 21.4 K%, 5.6 BB%, 2.57 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 3.00 xFIP) Calgary native Mike Soroka will get the start in Game 1 of the series. Soroka returned from the DL with a bang in his last start caring a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a win over the New York Mets. He allowed one hit and struck out four over 6 1/3 innings. Soroka has allowed one earned run or less in three of his four career starts. Jaime Garcia (2018: 12 GS, 2-5 W-L, 20.5 K%, 10.7 BB%, 5.71 ERA, 5.06 FIP, 4.79 xFIP) The Blue Jays will counter with a familiar face in left handed Jaime Garcia who spent part of last season in Atlanta before being dealt at the trade deadline. Garcia has had an inconsistent season for the Blue Jays to say the least alternating good and bad outings. He allowed four hits and four runs over five innings in his last start against Tampa Bay. Wednesday, June 20, 12:37 p.m. ET (FB-Watch) Anibal Sanchez (2018: 7 G, 6 GS, 3-0 W-L, 21.8 K%, 7.5 BB%, 1.93 ERA, 4.16 FIP, 4.03 xFIP) Anibal Sanchez will get the start for the Braves in Wednesday’s series finale and will be looking to continue his surprising start. Sanchez has allowed just eight earned runs over 37 1/3 innings spanning seven appearances. He has been lights out in June allowing just two runs over 19 1/3 innings while holding opponents to a .138 batting average. J.A. Happ (2018: 14 GS, 8-3 W-L, 28.1 K%, 7.5 BB%, 3.48 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 3.43 xFIP) J.A. Happ will get the start for Toronto in the finale and will be looking to continue a solid June. After allowing five hits and four runs over five innings in his first start this month, Happ has allowed just three hits and one unearned run over his next two. He has limited opponents to two runs or less in five of his last six starts.<doc-sep>In the midst of an odd, five-game week, the Atlanta Braves had the opportunity to close out a mini-sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon. However, the chance to win four straight games and slam the door on Canada’s team did not come to fruition, as the Braves fell to the Jays by a final score of 5-4. The Braves operated in a hole from the outset, as the team went down in 1-2-3 fashion in the top of the first inning before fireworks in the bottom half of the frame. Toronto’s Justin Smoak singled off Braves starter Anibal Sanchez and, moments later, Kendrys Morales launched a two-out, two-run home run to place the Jays in the lead. Shortly thereafter, Kurt Suzuki dented the scoreboard for Atlanta, blasting a solo home run left field in the second inning. From there, Peter Bourjos, making the start in right field as Nick Markakis occupied the DH slot, added his own solo home run and the Braves knotted the game at 2-2 in the third inning. That positive mojo did not continue, though, as Sanchez allowed two walks, a double and a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to pave the way for two runs attributed to the Blue Jays. After Sanchez exited following the fifth inning, Shane Carle navigated a scoreless sixth but he ran into trouble, leaving a man on second base with two outs before being replaced by A.J. Minter. Minter then gave up an RBI single to stretch Toronto’s lead to 5-2, before ending the inning shortly thereafter. The Braves then had six outs to make a comeback and they threatened to do so in the team’s final at-bat. After a scoreless eighth from Luke Jackson, the Braves strung together three singles against starter J.A. Happ and closer Ryan Tepera, with the last of the trio coming off the bat of Suzuki to send Freeman to the plate. Charlie Culberson then struck out with runners on the corners but Ender Inciarte brought another run across with a single to make things (very) interesting. Finally, though, the game came to an end when Johan Camargo flew out harmlessly. From an individual standpoint, there was little to be excited about, aside from the home runs from Sukuki and Bourjos. Only Suzuki reached base on multiple occasions and, aside from the occasional hiccup, it was largely the J.A. Happ show from beginning to end. After another off day (the second of the week), the Braves will return to action on Friday evening with the first of three games at home against the Baltimore Orioles. Stay tuned.<doc-sep>
BRAVES NEWS J.A. Happ stymies Braves in 5-4 loss to Blue Jays The Braves were largely held quiet at the plate on Wednesday, though they did mount a late rally to chase Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ from the game in the ninth inning. Atlanta advanced the tying run to second base against Toronto closer Ryan Tepera, but were unable to score and dropped the series finale to split the two-game affair. Anibal Sanchez got the start for the Braves, and completed five innings, allowing four runs and striking out seven. Leadoff: Why today’s Braves game isn’t on TV In case you missed it, the Braves-Blue Jays game on Wednesday was available for viewers exclusively through Facebook, rather than on regular broadcast networks such as FOX Sports. Fans on social media were largely displeased with the viewing experience, and while Facebook may have a foothold in baseball at the moment, their offering will need to improve if they are to gain support. AJC.com posted information concerning the game and why there would be no other means of watching the game available, in the link above. Braves’ Gohara makes start for Gwinnett in Triple-A The Braves optioned left-handed pitcher Luiz Gohara to Triple-A Gwinnett over the weekend. On Wednesday, Gohara made his first start since the demotion, and the results were somewhat mixed. raves prospect Luiz Gohara gave up five hits and two earned runs in 3 1/3 innings is his first Triple-A start since being sent down to the Gwinnett Stripers Wednesday night in Lawrenceville. Braves prospect Luiz Gohara gave up five hits and two earned runs in 3 1/3 innings is his first Triple-A start since being sent down to the Gwinnett Stripers Wednesday night in Lawrenceville. Gohara (0-3) had seven strikeouts and a walk and threw 69 pitches. MLB NEWS ‘Signature moment!’ Stanton hits epic walk-off HR Must C: Astros’ 3 straight HRs