Braves' opponent: New York Yankees

Keep an eye on: What's at stake. The Yankees are 1 ½ games behind Toronto in the AL East. The Blue Jays had won five in a row before losing in Texas on Thursday and are a remarkable 18-5 in the month of August, which included a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium Aug. 7-9. The Yankees are 11-13 in August.

Who's hot: Carlos Beltran is 7-for-22 (.318) over his past seven games, with three doubles and five RBIs.

Who's not: Alex Rodriguez is 3-for-19 (.158) over his past six games and he's hitting .138 in the month of August.

Braves connection: Former Braves catcher Brian McCann is hitting .245 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs in his second season with the Yankees. He has caught 98 games this year, has seen action in eight games at first base and three at designated hitter. Former Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira has been nursing a bruised shin, after fouling a ball off it on Aug. 17. He has gotten just three at-bats since then, in the Astros series, and went 0-for-3. He leads the Yankees with 31 home runs and 79 RBIs.

In the news: C.C. Sabathia went on the disabled list after leaving his start Sunday with pain in his surgically repaired right knee. The knee won't require surgery and he's hopeful he can return this season. Jacob Ellsbury missed Wednesday's game against the Astros with a sore hip, which he injured on an attempt at a diving catch. He's a question mark for Friday.

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Braves first baseman Matt Olson hit a home run for the third consecutive game, tallying three extra-base hits and driving in four runs for his second four-hit game of the season. (Colin Hubbard/AP)

Credit: AP

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com