Two veteran left-handers will take the mound when the Texas Rangers visit the Atlanta Braves for the first time since 2017 to start a three-game interleague series on Friday.
The Braves, coming off a three-game road sweep of the Houston Astros, are tied for the most wins in the National League and lead the NL East.
The defending World Series champion Rangers, who began the week by taking three of four against the host Detroit Tigers, are first in the American League West. Texas is completing the final leg of a 10-game road trip.
“I cannot feel great, physically not feel great, mechanically, not feel great, whatever it is, but there’s still just very simple ways of playing the game,” Heaney said after his latest start. “Go out there and get strike one. Make your pitches. Pitch around guys when you have a disadvantage of a matchup or you don’t feel like you have the right pitches in that moment, you know what I am saying?”
Heaney has one career appearance against the Braves. He received a no- decision in a 2021 start, allowing two runs in four innings.
Atlanta slugger Marcell Ozuna has a 16-game hitting streak, matching his career best, and is batting .379 (25-for-66) with eight home runs and 23 RBIs over that stretch.
“He’s on fire,” Braves pitcher Max Fried said. “There’s just no other way to say it. He’s taking great at-bats every single time he gets up there. You know he’s going to do some damage or at least hit the ball hard somewhere. He doesn’t look fooled. He’s really balanced, and he has a really good approach.”
