Pitching Probables:
Mike Minor (ATL) 3-2, 3.26 ERA
Mike Leake (CIN) 2-1, 4.15 ERA
Today's Starting Lineups (12:35 pm ET, SportSouth/MLB Network)
Braves (career vs. Leake):
Jordan Schafer - CF (3-12, RBI, 4 K)
Andrelton Simmons - SS (N/A)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (0-6, 2 K)
Evan Gattis - LF (N/A)
Dan Uggla - 2B (2-7, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 3 K)
Juan Francisco - 3B (1-3, HR, RBI)
Reed Johnson - RF (1-3, K)
Gerald Laird - C (N/A)
Mike Minor - P (0-2, K)
Reds (career vs. Minor):
Shin-Soo Choo - CF (N/A)
Zack Cozart - SS (2-4, HR, RBI)
Joey Votto - 1B (1-3, 2 BB)
Brandon Phillips - 2B (0-3, K)
Jay Bruce - RF (2-3, BB, K)
Todd Frazier - 3B (0-3, 2 K)
Donald Lutz - LF (N/A)
Devin Mesoraco - C (0-3)
Mike Leake - P (1-3, HR, RBI)
Preview:
Reds starting pitchers have struggled as of late, having not recorded a single quality start in their last six games, yet the Redlegs are 4-2 in that stretch. Twice in the last four games, including last night, Cincinnati pulled off late-inning rallies to storm off as winners. When their starters are struggling, the Reds offense has been there to pick them up.
Mike Leake looks to give the offense some support today as he takes the mound against Mike Minor and the scuffling Braves, who have gone 7-12 since their torrid 12-1 start. Leake has a respectable ERA of 4.15, but has struggled to stay consistent, putting together only two quality starts in six starts this season. In his last two outings, Leake has pitched a combined 8 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) and struck out four.
On the contrary, Mike Minor has flourished so far in 2013, allowing three runs or less in five of his six starts this season. Minor has cut down on his walks, allowing only five in 38 2/3 innings. But he still struggles with giving up the long ball, allowing five which has cost him dearly in his last two outings. In his last start Friday night against the Mets, Minor scattered three runs on three hits and struck out four over seven innings as the bullpen blew the lead in the 8th and 9th innings.
Uptons, McCann out of lineup:
BJ and Justin Upton will get the day off today as a seven-game west coast swing looms. Today will be the first time this season that Justin Upton has not been in the lineup. BJ reached base twice in last night's game, only the second time in his last 16 games he's done such. Jordan Schafer starts in BJ's place in CF while Reed Johnson will get the start in RF.
Brian McCann, as expected, gets the day off today (day game after a night game). McCann's first hit of the season drove in two runs in the 1st inning of last night's game. Gerald Laird gets the start behind the plate.
Side note:
Jason Heyward took batting practice before yesterday's game which is obviously a good sign. He hasn't played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on April 22 in Colorado. Heyward hopes to begin rehab assignments soon and looks to be a couple weeks away at most from returning to the lineup.
In his only start against the Reds on May 21, 2012, Minor allowed four runs on five hits, walked four, struck out four, and gave up four home runs over six innings as he took the loss 4-1.
Mike Leake is 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three career starts against the Braves.
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