Michael Hickey/Getty ImagesThe Atlanta Braves added some power to their lineup Monday one day before the MLB non-waiver trade deadline.The Braves announced they acquired outfielder Adam Duvall in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for pitchers Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker.Atlanta is just one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East Kris Bryant Jersey , and making an addition like this in exchange for three players suggests it is all-in on a playoff run in a year the Washington Nationals have struggled to keep pace.The Braves are a mere 22nd in the league in home runs despite their place in the standings and could use a power boost heading into the stretch run. Duvall had 33 home runs for the Reds in 2016 and 31 long balls in 2017 and is playing on a team-friendly deal, earning $645,000 this season.His numbers over the last three years put him in impressive company:Joel Luckhaupt jluckhauptMost extra-base hits in NL since 2016Nolan Arenado 220Charlie Blackmon 196Freddie Freeman 195Kris Bryant 183Paul Goldschmidt 180Anthony Rizzo 179Adam Duvall 175Matt Carpenter 175While Duvall has seen his slash numbers drop to .205/.286/.399 this season, he still has 15 homers, which is more than any Braves outfielder.As for Cincinnati, it moved a 29-year-old veteran who has experienced a drop-off in performance during a noncompetitive season for three pieces that could accelerate the rebuilding process.Tucker has played just 208 games at the professional level but is hitting a career-best .256 in 62 appearances this season. He was also the Houston Astros' No. 17 prospect in 2014, per MLB.com, and could unleash some of his upside in a new location.Elsewhere, Sims is 24 years old and Wisler is 25, which give Cincinnati two potential difference-making arms.The Reds have their eye on the future, whereas the Braves made a splash with a power hitter prior to the deadline. Now they will look to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2013 campaign. Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who is expected to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros on Saturday http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-addison-russell-jersey , will start the Indians‘ final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.Carrasco isn’t expected to go more than 70 or 80 pitches, as manager Terry Francona wants to keep the 31-year-old right-hander fresh for his start in Houston.“We need to get Carlos ready,” Francona said.Article continues below ...Trevor Bauer will follow Carrasco to the mound. The Indians have yet to decide whether Bauer will be used as a starter or reliever in the postseason.Carrasco’s last appearance came as a reliever Sept. 25, a 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Carrasco in that game relieved Bauer in the fifth inning, as the two starters were getting limited work in preparation for the postseason.In that relief stint, Carrasco pitched four scoreless innings on one hit before giving up a walk, three consecutive singles and three runs in the ninth inning. In 4 1/3 innings overall, he allowed three runs and four hits, with eight strikeouts and four walks.“Carlos was very good until the ninth inning,” Francona said.Carrasco’s last win came Aug. 28. He is 0-3 with a 3.62 ERA in five appearances (four starts) since.His last start against Kansas City, his only outing against the Royals this year, came in his second start of the season http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-sammy-sosa-jersey , a 3-2 win on April 6. In that game, Carrasco pitching six innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with four strikeouts and one walk. In 23 career appearances (18 starts) against the Royals, Carrasco is 10-6 with a 3.55 ERA.The Indians go into Sunday’s game with a record of 90-71. It’s the third time in team history that they have had three consecutive seasons with 90 or more wins. The other two times were from 1999-2001, and from 1950-1955.The Indians’ starting lineup Sunday will probably be the one they use in Game 1 of the Division Series against Houston, which will include Jason Kipnis in center field.Kipnis was moved from second base to the outfield after the Indians traded for third baseman Josh Donaldson at the end of August.Donaldson’s arrival pushed Jose Ramirez from third to second base, and Kipnis from second to center field, where he’s played well offensively and defensively. Kipnis is hitting .275 as a center fielder after hitting .228 while at second base.“He looks more comfortable out there in center. He looks pretty good,” Francona said.The Royals (58-103) will conclude the season with left-hander Eric Skoglund on the mound. Skoglund (1-5, 5.40) will make his 13th start of the season. He missed three months with a strained ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.His last start was an abbreviated one. On Sept. 25, he got no decision in a 4-3 Royals win over the Cincinnati Reds. Skoglund pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings and giving up one hit but left the game after a long rain delay.Skoglund’s only win of the season came April 28. In nine appearances (eight starts) since then Joe Maddon Jersey , he is 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA.His last start against Cleveland, on Aug. 27, 2017, was ugly. In 1 1/3 innings, he gave up seven runs and seven hits, with one strikeout and two walks.In two career appearances against the Indians, Skoglund is 0-2 with a 29.70 ERA, having given up 11 runs, 11 hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings.
