The Braves open a three-game series versus the Rays with games Friday (7:20 p.m.), Saturday (7:20 p.m.), and Sunday (1:35 p.m.) at Truist Park.

The Rays enter at 33-36, last in the American League East, 15 games behind the Yankees. The Rays are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have lost five of their past seven.

The Braves enter 36-30, second in the National League East, nine games behind the Phillies. The Braves are 4-6 in their last 10 games having won their last game to snap a five-game slide.

The pitching matchups will be Chris Sale (8-2, 3.01) vs. Zack Littell (2-4, 3.63) on Friday, Charlie Morton (3-3, 4.12) vs. Ryan Pepiot (4-3, 4.17) on Saturday and Hurston Waldrep (0-1, 17.18) vs. Zach Eflin (3-4, 4.06) on Sunday.

AJC writer Gabriel Burns breaks down the series including the Braves lack of home runs and who will take over the leadoff spot in the order.

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Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim throws to first for the groundout hit by Chicago Cubs third base Matt Shaw during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

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