​Although the Atlanta Braves have fallen behind in the series, they still can finish the first half of the season on a high note before the All-Star break. MLB Braves beat writer Mark Bowman reported on Friday that Hurston Waldrep would be optioned back to Triple-A, with JR Ritchie taking his place in today’s matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ritchie’s rookie season has featured both promising moments and learning experiences. After spending time in Triple-A earlier this month, when the Braves optioned Carlos Carrasco to the active roster on July 5, Ritchie now has another chance to prove himself and give Atlanta a solid start to slow down a Cardinals offense that has had the upper hand in the series.
Ritchie comes into this start with a 4.60 ERA across 10 appearances, three of which have been in relief. He’s still searching for consistency and a grasp on what repeatedly works for him as he attempts to settle into a reliable routine. If the Braves’ bats provide support today, Ritchie could deliver a strong performance on the mound in his first matchup with St. Louis since joining the rotation, potentially helping him deliver a much-needed quality outing.
On the other side, Cardinals starter Dustin May is aiming to guide his club to their first series win since early June. May carries a 4.55 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, and his results have been uneven in his starts; in three previous outings against Atlanta, he is 0-2. In his July 2 meeting with the Braves, May allowed five runs on five hits with just one strikeout, a performance that could provide Atlanta with an advantageous matchup if he regains command of the zone. Still, May did bounce back in his most recent turn, delivering four hits, no earned runs, and seven strikeouts against Milwaukee this past Monday—a sign that he might be turning a corner.
Ultimately, this showdown feels like a true toss-up regarding which version of these two pitchers will emerge to close out the first half of the season. Ritchie is determined to prevent a sweep, while May seeks one to cap a strong finish to the half. Both players are hoping for a commanding performance after some uneven starts; the lingering question remains—who wants it more on Sunday?
Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 12, 2:15 p.m. ET
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
TV: BravesVision
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM, The Fan
Notes: Los Bravos for better SEO.