We know it’s early (kinda), but could this be a World Series preview?
Maybe.
The Braves’ three-game series at the Rays that started Friday night is certainly a matchup of the two best teams in baseball right now.
The Braves entered the game with the best record in baseball at 58-28 (.674). The Rays had the second-best record and best in the American League at 57-33 (.633). They are the only two teams with a winning percentage greater than .600.
Both teams were at or near the top in several statistical categories in all of baseball. Here are some:
Runs: 2. Rays 494, 3. Braves 487
Home runs: 1. Braves 166, 3. Rays 134
RBI: 2. Rays 472, 3. Braves 470
Avg.: 2. Braves .272, 6. Rays .260
OBP: 1. Braves .342, 4. Rays .332
SLG: 1. Braves .499, 3. Rays .455
OPS: 1. Braves .841, 3. Rays .787
ERA: 2. Braves 3.63, 4. Rays 3.72
Hits: 2. Rays 680, 8. Braves 647
Runs allowed: 2. Braves 340, 3. Rays 345
Strikeouts: 6. Braves 808, 7. Rays 797
The three-game series concludes Sunday headed into the All-Star break. If they meet again, it just might be at the end of October and beginning of November.
-Braves beat reporter Justin Toscano will be in St. Petersburg for the series. Follow his coverage on ajc.com and in our e-Paper. Gabriel Burns will be in Seattle for the All-Star Game with eight Braves representatives.
