The Atlanta Braves Justin Upton and Brian McCann are dealing with some nagging injuries and may or may not see playing time in game one of the Atlanta/Philadelphia series. This duo has been productive recently and in this matchup with Upton's six HR's and 13 RBI's in last ten games and McCann's .571 average vs. Philadelphia this year. Fans hope Upton and McCann can tape it up and suck it up to get back in the lineup tonight but may be a gametime decision. Atlanta has averaged 5.7 runs per game and .319 with Runners in Scoring Position during the recent 10+ game win streak with Upton and McCann a key part of the Baves offensive equation. Freeman is also getting runs across the plate with a .417 average in past twelve games. Philadelphia is mired in an eleven road game losing streak and even Charlie Manuel was quoted as saying it has been the roughest stretch of his MLB managerial career. Manuel is seeking 1000 career victories but is one shy and may come up short of the milestone tonight with Teheran drawing duty for Atlanta. Teheran is 9-5 2.96 ERA overall on the season but has 27 K's in 24 Innings Pitched during a 2-0 1.13 ERA last four outing stretch. Teheran is 0-1 4.70 ERA in two starts vs. Philadelphia but Teheran really seems to have hit his stride in the past two weeks and will have a good Monday night home crowd tonight in his corner through thick and thin. Hamels is 4-13 3.81 ERA for Philadelphia the most losses in the National League but has only allowed four runs in 27 Innings Pitched in last three starts. Run Support is the issue with the Phillies 3.23 runs per game the lowest in MLB in Hamel's starts. Hamels is 0-2 5.46 ERA in last five starts vs. Atlanta. Michael Young is 5 for 41 hitting on the road and 5 for 31 vs. Atlanta this season. Atlanta has won six of nine in this matchup this year and would love to take advantage of a Phillies team who have dropped 17 of 20 tonight. Miami broke Atlanta's winning streak over the weekend even though the Braves won the series. Upton and McCann have the great numbers but if they can't go tonight plenty of quality players anxious to step up and fill the gap. Source: ESPN Preview
