Game No. 84 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves

Houston Astros (56-27) vs. Atlanta Braves (40-41), July 4, 2017, 6:35 p.m. CT

TV: ROOT SPORTS Southwest
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Braves SBNation Blog: Talking Chop

Pitching Matchup

RHP Brad Peacock (5-1, 2.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .294 BABIP, 3.47 xFIP) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (1-2, 1.48 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .250 BABIP, 3.94 xFIP)

Preview

The Houston Astros still retain the best record in baseball after taking two of three from the New York Yankees over the weekend. The Astros head East to take part in interleague action over the July 4th holiday against the Atlanta Braves.

RHP Brad Peacock (5-1, 2.72 ERA) will get the ball on Tuesday in game one. Peacock has been exactly what the Astros need with the team's issues with injuries to the starting rotation. He is 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA in seven starts for the Astros.

But Peacock's days in the rotation may be numbered with Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton working back to the majors. Peacock has been an even better weapon in the bullpen, he is 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in 12 appearances.

Peacock faces the Braves for the first time in his career and it is the first game in SunTrust Park in franchise history for the Astros.

Danny Santana, Brandon Phillips, and Nick Markakis led the Braves with three career at-bats each against Peacock. Santana is 2-for-3 and Philips is 0-for-3. The team has zero extra-base hits and two strikeouts in 15 career at-bats against Peacock.

The Braves (40-41) are currently in second in the National League East, 7 1/2 game behind the Washington Nationals (48-34). Atlanta will have LHP Sean Newcomb (1-2, 1.48 ERA) start opposite Peacock.

Sean Newcomb has taken over the spot in the Braves rotation from Bartolo Colon, who was designated for assignment. Newcomb was the No.5 prospect for the Braves from MLB Pipeline. The Astros could have been facing Newcomb far more often, who was the 15th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Angels before he was traded tot he Braves for Andrelton Simmons.

Newcomb has a plus fastball and curveball. Newcomb was 3-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 11 starts with the Braves Triple-A team before being called up. Newcomb has had a good start to his major league career, he has pitched at least six innings in all four starts. He has allowed just four earned runs over 24 1/3 innings while striking out 21 and eight walks.