Preview: Guardians at Braves, Sunday, April 12, 2026 ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves will play a rubber match Sunday at Truist Park, with both clubs looking to gain an edge in the early standings after splitting the first two games of their series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 72 degrees. The Guardians (9-6) evened the series with a 6-0 shutout victory Saturday. They will send right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound in the finale. Bibee seeks his first win after taking a loss in his initial start. He will be opposed by Braves left-hander Chris Sale (2-1, 2.25 ERA), who has been sharp early. Sale’s two wins match his total from an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Both teams enter Sunday with identical 9-6 records, adding stakes to the series decider. A player to watch for Cleveland is right-hander Slade Cecconi, who started Friday’s 11-5 loss to Atlanta. Cecconi allowed four earned runs over 5 1/3 innings in that outing but was brilliant in his prior start, tossing six shutout innings of one-hit ball in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on April 5. For Atlanta, right-hander Bryce Elder is a key figure out of the bullpen. He earned the win in relief Friday against Cleveland, pitching 4 2/3 innings. Elder has been excellent in two of his three appearances this season, including seven shutout innings in a no-decision against Arizona on April 4. According to National Statistical, the Braves are a narrow favorite with a 53.4% probability to win. Their game simulator projects a 6-5 Atlanta victory. The betting market lists Atlanta as a -1.5 run favorite with an over/under of 7.5 runs. Following Sunday’s game, Cleveland travels to St. Louis for a three-game set starting Monday. Atlanta remains home to begin a series against the Miami Marlins on Monday.