Baseball

Giants Host Braves in Series Finale Showdown of Cy Young Winners

by
Richard Hayes
June 28, 2026

As the San Francisco Giants prepare to face off against the Atlanta Braves, the excitement is palpable in Oracle Park for the series finale. This matchup not only serves as a rubber match but also features two left-handed aces who have each earned the coveted Cy Young Award.

For the Giants, Robbie Ray takes the mound. The 34-year-old lefty, who clinched the award in 2021, is making his 17th appearance of the season. Ray’s current record stands at 6-6, accompanied by a 3.70 ERA and a 4.80 FIP. With 80 strikeouts against 42 walks over 87.2 innings, he has shown resilience, particularly in his last two outings where he allowed just an unearned run in eight innings against the Athletics.

Opposing him is Chris Sale of the Braves, a nine-time All-Star and the 2024 Cy Young winner. At 37 years old, Sale has made 14 starts this season, boasting an impressive 8-5 record, a 2.14 ERA, and a 2.71 FIP. His performance includes an eye-catching 99 strikeouts to just 21 walks in 84 innings pitched. In his most recent start, Sale allowed two unearned runs over 5.2 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers, showcasing his ability to limit damage.

Fans can look forward to an exciting duel between these two elite pitchers as the Giants (34-48) battle the Braves (49-32) at 1:05 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast regionally on NBC Sports Bay Area and can be heard on KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM and KSFN 1510 AM.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.