Tonight at 7:35, the Mets begin a three-game series against the Braves at Turner Field.
The Braves ended the first half 46-39, four games behind the Nationals and a half a game in front of the Mets in the NL East. They finished up the first half with a devastating sweep of the Phillies.
The Braves have been a balanced team this season and haven’t been particularly great at anything. Their bullpen ERA is 13th in baseball and their starters’ ERA ranks 18th. On offense, they are 13th in on-base percentage and 14th in slugging percentage.
On paper this season, they should have had a fantastic pitching staff. However, they suffered a big blow last month, losing young ace Brandon Beachey. Since then, they have experimented with young prospects to fill in. The Braves have reportedly been interested in acquiring an ace before the July 31 trade deadline. Zack Greinke, Matt Garza, and others could be targeted by the Atlanta front office. They also recently signed Ben Sheets, who will be on the mound on Sunday.
On offense, the Braves are pretty average. Jason Heyward has had a nice season, hitting .272 with 14 home runs. Michael Bourn is hitting a career-high .311 at the plate. However, Freddie Freeman and Dan Uggla have had down years. Uggla has only hit 12 home runs and is batting .221. Freeman, their 22 year-old first baseman who had an excellent rookie campaign last year, has seen his batting average drop by 20 points and his on-base percentage drop by 30 points.
Pitching Matchups:
Game 1- Tonight 7:35
Chris Young (2-2, 3.41 ERA) vs. Tim Hudson (7-4, 3.56 ERA)
Game 2- Saturday 4:05
R.A. Dickey (12-1, 2.40 ERA) vs. Tommy Hanson (10-5, 3.71 ERA)
Game 3- Sunday 1:35
Johan Santana (6-5, 3.24 ERA) vs. Ben Sheets (Has not pitched this year)
Notes:
- Jonny Venters was placed on the DL about a week ago. Normally, this wouldn’t be a huge deal. However, with all the left-handed bats in the Mets lineup, Venters being out means Terry Collins has one less thing to worry about in the late innings.
- 22 year-old shortstop Andrelton Simmons was placed on the DL three days ago with a finger injury. Simmons was batting .296 in 115 at-bats for the Braves this season.
- Ben Sheets will be making his first start since July 19, 2010.
- How is Tim Hudson still so good? He is 36 (turning 37 on Saturday) and he is still pitching just as well as he was five years ago. The guy is the picture of consistency.
- Johan Santana’s ankle is fine. He will almost certainly be good to go on Sunday…
13 comments
Stickguy
7/13/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
this is a big series. Can really set the tone for the 2nd half (good or bad). And with only 2 weeks or so to the trade deadline, a hot or cold start after the ASB can have a huge impact on what the FO does.
just think of the difference in their situation if they go 1-5 vs. going 5-1 against the 2 teams ahead of them? That is 10 games over .500 and steaming toward the division lead instead of 2 over and fading.
SaltyGary
7/13/2012-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
This is exactly the pitching match-up we want out of the gate. Time to do some things at Turner this weekend.
srt
7/13/2012-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Huh….I missed Venters going on the DL.
Need to take this series – no excuses. Get ‘er done, boys.
We’re going in one man down in the BP, right?
Parnell
Rauch
Byrdak
Beato
Ramirez
Edgin
When is FF coming back – anyone know? I know he’s due to start rehab games today. Wonder how many it will take.
Stickguy
7/13/2012-1:28pm at 1:28 pm (UTC -4)
batista is still in the pen. Though I consider that a man down anyway…
srt
7/13/2012-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
O.K.
I thought if he was going to take Gee’s next start, he wouldn’t be available in the BP. But no one really knows what they’re doing yet. They could skip over that 5th start and worry about it on the back end of 1-4 for the second time.
Stickguy
7/13/2012-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
I think when Hefner got his 1st start, the original plan was to hold batista back, but they ended up needing him instead. So that is certainly an option, though it will require a roster move.
still think it has to be Young.
Stickguy
7/13/2012-5:05pm at 5:05 pm (UTC -4)
First game of the 2nd half, and terry right back with a head scratcher move.
Why Hairston against a RHP?
Stickguy
7/13/2012-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
Also, I have a dilemma. Can’t decide if I should invoke the “must win” game rule for tonight, or wait until tomorrow (in case they lose today)?
Such pressure comes with such immense responsibility.
Though this may have to be a must sweep, since Bay is probably coming back Tuesday, so that might guarantee a sweep (against) in Wash! double down on that if Batista gets a start too.
Connor O'Brien
7/13/2012-5:48pm at 5:48 pm (UTC -4)
Wednesday’s the day that’s up in the air right? Dickey could go on three days rest…
Stickguy
7/13/2012-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
Bad news. Franky had a set back, so not close to coming back.
and Dickey wont go on 3 days.
srt
7/13/2012-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Just saw that on FF. That oblique could take a month or better to heal. To me, they almost have to go out and get an arm.
And DIckey on 3 days rest is just dumb. We have enough problems trying to fill that 5th slot. No sense fooling around with RA Dickey given how well he’s pitched.
Stickguy
7/13/2012-8:40pm at 8:40 pm (UTC -4)
agreed about Dickey.
No reason to give the Sandy Haters any legitimate reasons to hate him!
NJstuckinTX
7/13/2012-11:34pm at 11:34 pm (UTC -4)
Well, that sucked. I hate losing to the Braves.