The Atlanta Braves will be glad to be back at Turner Field tonight after a 4-6 road trip. Atlanta has hit .237 during a 17 game stretch and my get Jason Heyward back in this series after being on the DL since April 23rd. Heyward however has .111 aveage vs. LAD his lowest of any NL opponent and has not belted a HR in this matchup in 20 games. Heyward was .121 with 2 HR's before appendectomy surgery this season but looks to be in the lineup contributing both on the offensive end and with the glove. Maholm is 4-4 3.94 ERA but 1-4 6.83 ERA and should benefit tonight being back at Turner Field where he has a 1.32 Home ERA compared to a 4.90 Road ERA. Ryu is 4-2 3.40 ERA and the South Korean was sharp last time out allowing one run and five hits in seven Innings Pitched. Ryu is 1-1 4.68 Road ERA and will face an Atlanta offense that needs to get back on track with fundamental hitting. BJ Upton is .145 the lowest in the NL but Chris Johnson may be the bright spot tonight with a .410 average vs. lefties. Kemp has a .328 average for LAD in a 14 game hit streak but only .200 average at Turner Field his lowest of any NL opponent. Look to see if tonight if either Heyward or Kemp finally has a breakout game in this mathcup. The Dodgers bring a winning four or five momentum in tonight's game so Atlanta will have to plate some runs to support Maholm to be competitive. Source: ESPN MLB Preview.
Even though Dodgers have hit .303 in their win spurt, Maholm back at Turner Field tonight and his 1.32 Home ERA with Atlanta Bullpen may be the recipe to cools off LAD hitting. Will be Brain McCann's first series at home also so some emotion to go along with other storylines including the possible return of Jason Heyward. Today the focus will be Atlanta - 126 looking for Maholm to keep Kemp in check and Atlanta offense to find success vs. Ryu's 4.62 Road ERA. Splitting up the Props with Atlanta Scores First +100 and No Score First Innings -130 rounds out the evening.
Maybe so Vituperate. Glad to see Heyward back in the lineup with a good night at the plate but Upton with the Grandy the big blow as Dodgers were leading at that point 4-2. Good to see Kimbrel come in and seal it after some struggles in the past few weeks. A quality win for a huge crowd tonight. Everybody goes home happy and we get together with LAD again tomorrow with a tough Cappuano on the mound.
