The Atlanta Braves Tim Hudson is 4-7 4.22 ERA overall this season but currently in a ten game winless streak the longest of his MLB career. Hudson was scheduled to pitch last night in game one of the Atlanta/Philadelphia series but Hudson's start was pushed back to tonight because of lingering stifness in the neck area giving Hudson an extra day of rest. Hudson has struggled and struggled on the road this year going 1-7 5.71 ERA in nine game away from Turner Field. Run support has been the key issue and Atlanta did scratch out four runs last night against a tough Cliff Lee so the Braves hope for more offensive production tonight. Hudson has won two of three of his last starts at Citizens Bank Park however and desperately needs a win to regain some confidence. The MLB Umpires blew several critical calls last night with the Braves being on the losing end and Atlanta fans can only hope the MLB Umpires can clean up the calls tonight. Kendrick is 7-5 3.59 ERA overall on the season but 1-7 in 19 career games 13 starts vs. Atlanta. Dan Uggla provided the big Atlanta HR last night and the Kendrick/Uggla matchup will be interesting to follow tonight. Ben Revere is 15 for 38 in last eight games and the Hudson/Revere matchup will also be key. Ryan Howard has had the most success vs. Hudson with a .328 average and seven HR's so Hudson will have to make Howard a priority out. Atlanta now has a three game losing streak while Philadelphia has pegged back to back wins. Hudson has had success on the road in Philadelphia in the past but will have to dig extremely deep tonight to get the big monkey of the ten game winless streak off his back. The Atlanta offense has to deliver for Hudson with the run support tonight or Hudson's big monkey may become the big gorilla. Source: ESPN MLB Preview
