Brandon Beachy "The Kokomo Kid" from Kokomo, Indiana is 5-1 1.33 ERA and coming off a complete game shutout. Beachy has won five straight decisions and leads MLB in lowest ERA while holding lefty hitters to a .148 average. Beachy had every pitch in his arsenal working last time out and now faces the Reds who have won three in a row and are only 1/2 game back in the NL Central. Bruce and Votto are the big bats but will this duo or any of the other Reds have any success vs Beachy tonight will be the question the Reds will have to answer if they hope to take two back to back games from the Braves who are struggling somewhat now offensively only scoring five runs in losing two of three. Atlanta still remains 2nd in the NL with runs scored on the year with 217 and will face Latos who is 2-2 4.63 ERA and has gone no further than six Innings Pitched this season. Latos is 2-2 2.43 ERA in five career outings vs Atlanta and according to sources, Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman was arrested for speeding and driving with a suspended license and his availabilty is uncertain. Freeman, Heyward, McCann and Hinske all have good numbers vs Latos. Granted Atlanta may be struggling offensively at the moment but Braves may only need a couple of runs tonight if Beachy can bring the same karma he had last outing. Source: SportingNews and CBS MLB Preview.
Freeman is 1 for 12 with 5 K's in his last three BUT he has good numbers vs Latos. Freddie is either feast or famine and if he can get some RBI's tonight, with the way Beachy is dealin it, Atlanta may not need many to get a win. Bottom line is Braves offense needs to wake up giving Beachy some run support to work with as he attempts to keep Cinncy Big Bats in check. Great American Ball Park will be hostile of course with the Reds in contention for the NL Central lead but Beachy is the man who Atlanta loves to see take the mound.
