After an emotional night last night at Turner Field where Chipper Jones Jersey was retired and the Braves got a quality home win in game one of the series vs. Arizona Tim Hudson hopes for a little sunshine in his back door. Hudson is 4-7 4.10 ERA overall this season but is in the longest winless streak of his 15 year MLB career. Hudson has not won since early May even though posting a 1.82 ERA in last five outings. Hudson has only received 1.6 Runs of Support in thos contests the lowest Run Support of qualifying pitchers in that time frame. In addition Atlanta has provided zero Runs in three of four of Hudson's last starts and will be challenged again today to produce runs will Kennedy on the mound for Arizona. Kennedy is 3-4 5.21 ERA and has not took the mound in nearly two weeks serving a suspension from the Brawl at Dodger Statium back on June 11th. Kennedy however has been tough in this matchup posting a 2.84 ERA in four career games vs. Atlanta winning the last two. Bell is 4.69 ERA in 19 apperances with 13 saves of 15 chances out of the D Back Bullpen and Putz is 4.26 ERA converting five of seven saves is slated to rejoin the team this afternoon after injury. Gattis and Pena are still on 15 DL for Atlanta. Chipper's Jersey is officially retired and all the fanfare and hoopla from last night is over and Atlanta must continue own with this series vs. a tough Kennedy this afternoon with a game start time of 4:05 PM EST. Hudson must some receive some run support today or the longest winless streak of his career may become even longer. The Home Run is the key for Atlanta's success in the majority of their games this season and Atlanta may find difficulty with the long ball today if Kennedy is as sharp today as in previous starts in this matchup. Kennedy's frame of mind after the suspension and time served entering today's game could be a major factor this afternoon and should indicate whether of not Atlanta can finally find some success vs. the D Back starter. Source: ESPN MLB Preview.
