The Atlanta Braves are winners of their last seven games. They will wrap up their series with the Miami Marlins on Thursday evening, then head to the Bronx to face the New York Yankees in a highly anticipated three-game weekend set.
Atlanta has been the hottest team in baseball since the All-Star break with a 14-5 record, while the Yankees have been reeling a bit. Both the Yankees and Braves had somewhat underwhelming trade deadlines, but it hasn’t seemed to matter for Atlanta.
As of Thursday, there is a clear outline for who the probable starters will be for both the Yankees and Braves this weekend. Let’s get into some of the matchups.
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Braves’ Probable Starters for Yankees Series
GettySAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 01: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 01, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves will send Tyler Mahle to the mound to make his team debut on Friday. New York plans to go with Max Fried Friday night, which is an exciting pitching matchup.
Mahle was traded to the Braves at the MLB trade deadline, and Max Fried pitched several years with Atlanta to start his career and was a key catalyst in the Braves’ 2021 World Series run.
Per Jesus Cano, here are the full probables for both sides:
“Braves-Yankees pitching matchups are set for this weekend — Friday — Tyler Mahle vs. Max Fried Saturday — Chris Sale vs. Gerrit Cole Sunday — Grant Holmes vs. Cam Schlittler”
Friday — Tyler Mahle vs. Max Fried Saturday — Chris Sale vs. Gerrit Cole Sunday — Grant Holmes vs. Cam Schlittler
The headliner is Saturday night, as the two former CY Youngs in Chris Sale and Gerrit Cole will go head-to-head.
However, speaking to the Braves’ role in this series, this upcoming matchup will be a crucial litmus test to see how Atlanta fares against elite starting pitching, because the Yankees’ 3 best pitchers this season are all taking the ball.
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GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 29: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets in game two of a double header at Citi Field on July 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
After their win on Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves now have the 2nd best record in MLB with a 69-45 mark, which is good for an 8.5-game cushion in the NL East over the Phillies.
Atlanta has won eight of their last 10 games, and its road record is 31-25.
Looking at the Yankees, they are 64-51 this season, which lands them in 2nd place in the AL East, 4.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox have quickly caught all the way up to the Yankees, and threaten New York for the top Wild Card spot in the AL.
New York is 27-25 this season at home, which is a little underwhelming compared to their normal @ home marks.
Should be a very exciting series!
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