Pitching Probables:
Thu: Julio Teheran (ATL) 1-0, 5.08 ERA vs. Ryan Vogelsong (SF) 1-2, 7.20 ERA
Fri: Tim Hudson (ATL) 4-1, 3.83 ERA vs. Matt Cain (SF) 1-2, 5.57 ERA
Sat: Paul Maholm (ATL) 4-3, 3.09 ERA vs. Madison Bumgarner (SF) 3-1, 2.31 ERA
Sun: Kris Medlen (ATL) 1-4, 3.25 ERA vs. Tim Lincecum (SF) 2-2, 4.75 ERA
Comparison by Position:
C:
Brian McCann (ATL) .125/.222/.125 0 HR 2 RBI (in 2 games)
Buster Posey (SF) .288/.392/.500 4 HR 19 RBI
1B:
Freddie Freeman (ATL) .316/.388/.447 2 HR 18 RBI
Brandon Belt (SF) .212/.282/.337 3 HR 14 RBI
2B:
Dan Uggla (ATL) .209/.315/.445 7 HR 12 RBI
Marco Scutaro (SF) .282/.333/.363 0 HR 6 RBI
3B:
Chris Johnson (ATL) .320/.353/.454 2 HR 9 RBI
Juan Francisco (ATL) .280/.316/.493 5 HR 16 RBI
Pablo Sandoval (SF) .318/.357/.455 4 HR 24 RBI
SS:
Andrelton Simmons (ATL) .276/.323/.431 4 HR 15 RBI
Brandon Crawford (SF) .252/.326/.470 5 HR 15 RBI
LF:
Evan Gattis (ATL) .243/.286/.524 7 HR 19 RBI
Gregor Blanco (SF) .284/.359/.321 0 HR 8 RBI
Andres Torres (SF) .262/.294/.369 1 HR 4 RBI
CF:
BJ Upton (ATL) .153/.240/.270 3 HR 5 RBI
Angel Pagan (SF) .268/.319/.358 1 HR 14 RBI
RF:
Justin Upton (ATL) .276/.386/.629 12 HR 21 RBI
Hunter Pence (SF) .287/.324/.515 7 HR 21 RBI
Tonight's Starting Lineups (10:15 pm ET, FS South/MLB Network)
Braves (career vs. Vogelsong):
Jordan Schafer - RF (2-3, HR, RBI, BB)
Andrelton Simmons - SS (N/A)
Justin Upton - LF (4-13, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (3-7, 2 HR, 2 RBI)
Dan Uggla - 2B (0-6, BB, 3 K)
Brian McCann - C (0-5, BB, K)
BJ Upton - CF (N/A)
Juan Francisco - 3B (1-2, HR, RBI)
Julio Teheran - P (N/A)
Giants (career vs. Teheran):
Angel Pagan - CF (1-1, BB)
Marco Scutaro - 2B (N/A)
Pablo Sandoval - 3B (N/A)
Buster Posey - C (N/A)
Hunter Pence - RF (0-1)
Gregor Blanco - LF (N/A)
Brandon Crawford - SS (N/A)
Brandon Belt - 1B (N/A)
Ryan Vogelsong - P (N/A)
Preview:
It seems like the unexpected day off -- due to Saturday's rainout against the Mets -- was all the Braves needed to snap out of their recent slump. Prior to last Saturday's postponement, the Braves had lost three straight and seven of nine during that stretch. They begin their four-game series with the Giants having won three of their last four games. The only question one would have is will Julio Teheran benefit from the extra days of rest due to the rainout or will it derail him? Teheran who was supposed to start in last Saturday's game, was skipped in the rotation and will take the mound for the first time since April 29th tonight at AT&T Park in San Francisco. After struggling in his first three starts, allowing at least four earned runs in each of those outings, Teheran seems to have turned a corner, conceding only two runs or fewer in his last two outings. The 22-year-old righty looks to build off his recent strong performances, despite having nine days of rest.
For the Giants, Bruce Bochy will send out Ryan Vogelsong who unlike Teheran, has been unable to put his early season struggles behind him. Vogelsong will take the hill sporting an ERA of 7.20 as well as a 1-2 record. Dodgers tagged Vogelsong for seven runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings last Saturday, marking his shortest outing of the season. Vogelsong has allowed at least four runs in five of his six starts this season.
Vogelsong's pitching performances have epitomized the struggles of the Giants rotation. Giants starters have turned in only three quality starts in the past eleven games. Giants are 7-4 during that stretch, but their starting pitchers earned just one of those wins.
Braves closer Craig Kimbrel remains 1 save shy of 100:
Whenever Kimbrel notches his next save, he will be the second youngest pitcher in Major League history to reach the 100 save mark. Kimbrel is aiming to join Francisco Rodriguez or "K-Rod" as the only closer to reach that mark before their 25th birthday. Right now, Kimbrel is focused on pitching his way out of some recent struggles. He has blown three saves in his past five attempts, including allowing back-to-back homers to Devin Mesoraco and Shin-Soo Choo on Tuesday night. I'm no pitching coach, but it seems as if Kimbrel is relying on his fastball TOO much. In the home runs he gave up to David Wright, Devin Mesoraco, and Shin-Soo Choo, the location of his fastball was low and at the knees. If he can get his confidence back, mix his pitches better, and elevate his fastball, he'll snap out of his slump in no time.
Side note:
Freddie Freeman is 3-for-7 in his career against Vogelsong with a pair of home runs.
Tonight will be Teheran first career start against the Giants.
In three career appearances against the Braves (two starts), Vogelsong is 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA.
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