SD Padres -134
It seems like Braves backers are back on board their team now that their bats have finally come back to life, being able to knock out the opposing starting pitcher prior to the sixth inning in nine of their last ten games, in which they averaged nearly 8 runs a game. However, don’t put too much stock into this recent hot streak, as their last ten opposing pitchers leaves a lot to be desired from a talent standpoint (Wells, Germano, an injured Penny, Hendrickson, a slumping Wolf and Willis, Kim, Bowie, and an injured Johnson). In fact, their only real test during that time span was against Lowe, who convincingly dominated them. Tonight will be another test as they face Maddux working with a lot of motivation in this spot. Maddux, who always is extra motivated during prime time starts, will also have the motivation of pitching against his former team, and will be in bounce back mode after putting forth his worst home start of the season last week. Maddux, who hasn’t faced his former team in nearly two years, has the exact style you want against this free swinging lineup willing to go out of the strike zone. Expect him to take advantage of the youth in the backend, while the heating up Jones’s are just one for seven lifetime against him, and don’t match up well either. The Braves also lack the speed on the base paths to take advantage of Maddux’s inability to hold runners on. Maddux also have the umpire factor edge over his counterpart, as Buckner’s tight zone can be unforgiving for a pitcher that lacks command like Davies, something far from the case with Maddux. His propensity to open it up for veteran pitchers is also a potential hidden asset for this game. Backed by the best bullpen in baseball should demand only six out of Maddux, and force the Braves to score early. The Braves are also heavily dependent on the long ball, as their lack of speed and situational hitting doesn’t make their lineup built to manufacture runs. This propensity should be curtailed by Maddux allowing just seven all year and Petco Park being one of the hardest parks to go yard in.
Davies looked horrible (and still injured) in his last start after missing one with an abdominal strain. Prior to his injury, he had shown no signs of getting better with each start, as he is continued to underachieve the hype that at one time surrounded him. Plagued mostly by lack of control and high walk total, he may be set up for failure in this start, as he is up against one of the more patient lineups not willing to help a pitcher out (nor does Bucknor). Davies has looked awful out of the stretch this season, as he has yet to figure out an out pitch to compensate for his high walk total. The Padres are not one of the better lineups in getting hits, but are one of the better lineups in making most of what is given to them. The return of Giles adds even more patience and situational hitting to the lineup, while the addition of Bradley adds a spark and some pop. Healthy or not healthy, Davies is not a candidate to go deep into this game, and is backed by a mediocre front end who had used three pitchers in last nights game. The Padres have played well at home this season, and are entering the break with momentum, confidence and the best record in the NL.
It seems like Braves backers are back on board their team now that their bats have finally come back to life, being able to knock out the opposing starting pitcher prior to the sixth inning in nine of their last ten games, in which they averaged nearly 8 runs a game. However, don’t put too much stock into this recent hot streak, as their last ten opposing pitchers leaves a lot to be desired from a talent standpoint (Wells, Germano, an injured Penny, Hendrickson, a slumping Wolf and Willis, Kim, Bowie, and an injured Johnson). In fact, their only real test during that time span was against Lowe, who convincingly dominated them. Tonight will be another test as they face Maddux working with a lot of motivation in this spot. Maddux, who always is extra motivated during prime time starts, will also have the motivation of pitching against his former team, and will be in bounce back mode after putting forth his worst home start of the season last week. Maddux, who hasn’t faced his former team in nearly two years, has the exact style you want against this free swinging lineup willing to go out of the strike zone. Expect him to take advantage of the youth in the backend, while the heating up Jones’s are just one for seven lifetime against him, and don’t match up well either. The Braves also lack the speed on the base paths to take advantage of Maddux’s inability to hold runners on. Maddux also have the umpire factor edge over his counterpart, as Buckner’s tight zone can be unforgiving for a pitcher that lacks command like Davies, something far from the case with Maddux. His propensity to open it up for veteran pitchers is also a potential hidden asset for this game. Backed by the best bullpen in baseball should demand only six out of Maddux, and force the Braves to score early. The Braves are also heavily dependent on the long ball, as their lack of speed and situational hitting doesn’t make their lineup built to manufacture runs. This propensity should be curtailed by Maddux allowing just seven all year and Petco Park being one of the hardest parks to go yard in.
Davies looked horrible (and still injured) in his last start after missing one with an abdominal strain. Prior to his injury, he had shown no signs of getting better with each start, as he is continued to underachieve the hype that at one time surrounded him. Plagued mostly by lack of control and high walk total, he may be set up for failure in this start, as he is up against one of the more patient lineups not willing to help a pitcher out (nor does Bucknor). Davies has looked awful out of the stretch this season, as he has yet to figure out an out pitch to compensate for his high walk total. The Padres are not one of the better lineups in getting hits, but are one of the better lineups in making most of what is given to them. The return of Giles adds even more patience and situational hitting to the lineup, while the addition of Bradley adds a spark and some pop. Healthy or not healthy, Davies is not a candidate to go deep into this game, and is backed by a mediocre front end who had used three pitchers in last nights game. The Padres have played well at home this season, and are entering the break with momentum, confidence and the best record in the NL.
