The Road has taken its toll on the Atlanta Braves in the past 10 days. Atlanta is now 15-8 and even though still a winning 9-6 Road Record have only scored 12 runs in six losses on this trip and have lost seven of ten overall. Atlanta ran into a buzz saw in Sanchez Friday Night where he set a Detriot Tigers Franchise Record for K's at 17 and now must face Fister 3-0 2.00 ERA and 1.23 ERA in his last three outings. The Strikeout was a major concern going into the road trip and continues to plague Braves Hitters. Justin Upton in hitting .250 down from .333 on the road trip but still contributes with the HR Ball. BJ Upton however is .125 and continues to to chalk up strikeouts and is hittless in five career At Bats vs. Fister. Minor is 3-1 1.80 ERA and will make his first appearance vs. Detroit and has dropped three of four overall vs. AL Opponents with a 4.96 ERA. Cabrera is .413 with a HR and 12 RBI's in an eleven game hit streak but Fielder may also need to improve on plate discipline with 6 K's on the Detroit Homestand. Atlanta's Road Blues may not end tonight as the Tigers have now won three of last four overall, have scored 17 runs in last two games vs. Atlanta and have won eight of ten in this matchup including four straight at home. If the Braves hope to avoid a sweep they must cut down on K's, Minor has to pitch deep into the game, baserunners have to somehow get aboard for Upton when he does hit it deep, and defense has to come up with the premier plays in the deep alleys. Detroit can deliver Atlatna its first complete sweep of the season and if successful the Atlanta Braves Road Trip just got a little longer. Source: ESPN MLB Preview.
