This weekend marks a momentous occasion for the Atlanta Braves as they host the MLB All-Star Game for the first time in 25 years. With nearly 100,000 fans expected to flood metro Atlanta, the festivities kick off Friday with a block party at The Battery.

The All-Star Game itself will take place on Tuesday, but various events will unfold leading up to it, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of Truist Park and its surrounding areas. The local authorities are ramping up security measures to handle the large crowds, while the Cobb County Department of Transportation has promised to monitor traffic in real-time to alleviate congestion.

In a celebration of Hank Aaron's legacy, the Atlanta Braves have temporarily relocated the iconic 715th home run ball and the bat he used to hit it to Monument Garden in Truist Park. This move coincides with the upcoming MLB All-Star Game, offering fans a unique opportunity to view these significant artifacts alongside other Braves memorabilia.

Monument Garden features tributes to Aaron, including a statue and a sculpture of bats shaped into the number 755, representing his career home runs. Other notable items include a display of old Braves jerseys and Sid Bream's knee brace from the pivotal 1992 NLCS. After the All-Star festivities conclude, the ball and bat will return to their permanent home in the Hank Aaron Terrace.

The Boston Red Sox are riding a six-game winning streak, but face a daunting challenge against the Seattle Mariners, particularly Bryan Woo, who previously struck out eight batters against them in April. With both teams in action, key MLB prop bets highlight Gleyber Torres, who is thriving on a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, especially against left-handed pitching. Betting against Bailey Falter, the Pirates' southpaw with a strong ERA, seems risky. Ronald Acuña Jr. also remains a focal point, aiming to extend his impressive performance against division rivals. Notably, Woo's consistency as a pitcher and his low walk rate suggest he will likely exceed 18.5 outs against the Red Sox.

MLB players have expressed significant skepticism regarding the proposed Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), with 63.4% of surveyed players opposing the technology's implementation for calling balls and strikes. Many players fear that removing umpires could fundamentally alter the game's essence, echoing sentiments that the human element is essential. Concerns were raised about how ABS could affect traditional pitching and catching strategies, particularly the craft of framing pitches. Players quoted anonymously in the poll articulated these fears, suggesting the potential for a diminished connection between players and the game itself.

Moreover, catchers who rely on pitch framing might find their roles under threat, as the ABS would eliminate their ability to influence calls through skill. The backlash against ABS reflects a deeper yearning among players to maintain the intrinsic challenges and nuances of baseball that have defined the sport for generations.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are poised for a potential three-game sweep against the Atlanta Braves after securing wins of 8-3 and 2-1 in the initial games of their series. Currently sitting at 30-31, the Diamondbacks hope to improve their road record of 15-14 this season. The Braves, with a record of 27-33, will be looking to leverage their home field advantage, having won 17 of 30 games at Truist Park this season.

As they prepare for Thursday's matchup, first pitch is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. ET. Atlanta has dominated the recent series between the two teams, winning 8 of the last 12 meetings. The Braves are favored on the money line at -162, with the over/under set at 9 runs. This alignment underlines the competitive nature of this matchup, especially with both teams striving to gain momentum as the season progresses.