After the Atlanta Braves struggled in their series against the Chicago Cubs - losing two-of-three and scoring just four runs - they had a day off to figure things out before their three game series with the St. Louis Cardinals begins on May 11. Even without Albert Pujols, the Cardinals have been one of the best teams in baseball and have been led by their stellar, unheralded starting rotation.
Friday, May 11 - Mike Minor vs. Jaime Garcia
After a fantastic spring, Minor has been hit and miss for the Braves this season. He is 2-2 with a 5.97 ERA, allowing 25 earned runs in 37 2/3 innings. In his last two starts, he is 0-1, allowing 15 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, raising his ERA more than 2.50 points.
Garcia is 2-2 this season with a 3.76 ERA this season with 22 strikeouts recorded and 12 walks. He will never be like Clayton Kershaw or Felix Hernandez with strikeouts, but he has great control and has had great success against the Braves in the past. He is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts against them, allowing just six earned runs.
Saturday, May 12 - Brandon Beachy vs. Adam Wainwright
This is the pitching matchup I am most excited about seeing. Beachy is one of the best young pitchers in the sport and is having one of the best seasons of any starting pitcher. He is 3-1 this season with a 1.62 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, .190 BAA and just seven earned runs allowed in 39 innings.
Wainwright is off to one of the worst starts in his career, but has the skill to turn it around at any point. He is 2-3 this season with a 5.61 ERA, allowing 21 earned runs in 33 2/3 innings. He has his strikeout pitch working, recording 34, compared to just seven walks. Wainwright is 6-0 in his career against his former team with a 2.25 ERA in 44 innings.
Sunday, May 13 - Tommy Hanson vs. Lance Lynn
The series finale will see the Braves sending their Opening Day starter to the hill against one of the biggest surprises in the sport.
Hanson is just 3-3 this season with a 3.63 ERA. In seven starts, he has yet to pitch that one shutdown game that fans were hoping to see this season. His walk total is on track to be the worst of his career, as is his BAA. In his career against the Cardinals, he has made just one start, allowing two earned runs in seven innings, not factoring in the decision.
For the Cardinals, Lance Lynn will attempt to get his seventh win of the season. In six starts, he is 6-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and .168 BAA. He has recorded 37 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings, allowing just six earned runs.
For access to Atlanta Braves season recaps from 1990-present, a look at trades that changed Braves history, or a look at the greatest award winners in team history, go here for easier access.
More from this contributor:
Freddie Freeman 2012 MVP threat?
Dan Uggla Ready to Bounce Back in 2012
Top Athletes to Return from Retirement and have an Impact
Hobson Lopes has been a life-long Atlanta Braves fan, thanks to TBS, and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.
No comments:
Post a Comment