After a well-deserved midsummer break, the Atlanta Braves are back in action on Friday night as they host a White Sox team that has failed to impress in pretty much any capacity and seek to improve their already MLB-best record. The Braves come into the season’s “second half” with a 60-29 record and an 8.5-game lead in the NL East; the White Sox limp out of the All-Star Break’s gates at 38-54, eight back in their division and 12.5 games out of the AL’s final Wild Card spot.
For the White Sox, this game is a bit more than just a return to play, because it’s also the return of starter Michael Kopech from a brief stint on the Injured List with shoulder inflammation.