SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves, owners of the best record in the National League, will host the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for a 77-degree evening under cloudy skies. Atlanta enters the game at 40-20, having lost two of its last three games. Toronto is 29-31 after dropping a series finale to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-3) will start for the Blue Jays. He will oppose Atlanta right-hander Spencer Strider. Strider has been dominant in recent outings. He allowed just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings in a win over Boston on May 15, then threw six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 9. Over his last three starts, he has struck out 22 batters in 16 1/3 innings. In his most recent start, a loss at Cincinnati on May 31, Strider pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts. Toronto’s offense will look to counter Strider with outfielder Yohendrick Piñango, who is coming off a standout performance Sunday. Piñango went 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs in the 9-5 loss to Baltimore. However, he was hitless in four of his previous five games entering that contest. The Blue Jays have split their last 10 games. They have relied on starting pitching and timely hitting to stay within striking distance in the American League wild-card race. Atlanta’s lineup features Ronald Acuña Jr., who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in the 6-4 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday. The Braves have won eight of their last 11 games and have outscored opponents by a wide margin this season. The game is the first of a three-game series between the interleague opponents. Toronto will send a left-hander to the mound Wednesday and a right-hander on Thursday. Atlanta will use a right-hander in the middle game before a lefty closes the series. Atlanta has been installed as a -1.5 favorite on the run line. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 victory for the Braves. The over/under is 7.5 runs. Following the series, Toronto will return home to host Baltimore, while Atlanta will welcome Pittsburgh for a weekend set. Both clubs will then begin extended road trips.