The Atlanta Braves are set to take on the Boston Red Sox in the second game of their series, with the Braves holding a 1-0 lead after a strong start. Atlanta has been dominant this season, boasting a 31-14 record and sitting comfortably atop the NL East. Their home-field advantage is evident, as they've gone 15-7 at Truist Park, and their lineup is firing on all cylinders with a league-best .268 team batting average.

On the mound, the Braves will send Bryce Elder to the hill. Elder has been outstanding, posting a 4-1 record with a sparkling 1.81 ERA and 53 strikeouts over his starts. The Red Sox will counter with Payton Tolle, who carries a 1-2 record and a solid 2.78 ERA into the matchup. The betting lines reflect Atlanta's edge, with the Braves listed as -142 favorites and an over/under set at 8 runs.

Boston, currently 18-26 and fifth in the AL East, has struggled to find consistency but has shown flashes of power. They're 10-12 on the road and have a 5-2 record when they go deep multiple times in a game. Willson Contreras has been a bright spot, tallying eight home runs and 23 RBIs, while Ceddanne Rafaela has been hot lately, going 13-for-35 with three homers in his last 10 games.

For the Braves, Michael Harris II leads the charge with a .308 batting average, eight home runs, and 24 RBIs. Austin Riley has also been productive, going 10-for-37 with two homers in his last 10 outings. Atlanta's pitching has been stellar, with a 2.25 ERA over their last 10 games, during which they've gone 6-4 and outscored opponents by 11 runs. The Red Sox have been competitive too, posting a 5-5 record in that span with a 2.40 ERA.

Injury concerns loom for both teams. The Braves are without key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. (hamstring) and Sean Murphy (finger), while the Red Sox are missing Triston Casas (knee) and Garrett Crochet (shoulder), among others. As the series continues, all eyes will be on whether Atlanta can extend their lead or if Boston can even the score.