NL-worst Braves travel to Padres’ lair
It’s been an interminable two-plus months for Atlanta baseball fans. Of course, excitement hasn’t exactly permeated the stands in San Diego either.
The two struggling clubs clash in tonight’s series opener, with a 10:10 p.m. ET first pitch out West. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI list Andy Green’s group as a 1.5-run favorite. The Braves, conversely, enter Petco Park as +125 underdogs.
Brian Snitker’s troops covet their first victory in the Padres’ backyard in nearly four years. If the sticks spring to life for a second straight day, that could become a reality. Atlanta (16-40) concluded the weekend with a loss at Dodger Stadium, albeit one in which the squad generated six runs and 12 base knocks. Outfielder Nick Markakis went 3 for 4 to boost his average to .324 since May 27.
San Diego (23-35), after narrowly missing out on a sweep of the Rockies, boasts several hot hitters, too. Wil Myers is batting .433 in his last seven. As for shortstop Alexi Ramirez, he’s raking at a .356 clip over the past two weeks. Both players are optimistic about lending considerable support to Christian Friedrich (2-1, 2.53 ERA) in a few hours.
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On the other side, Williams Perez (2-1, 3.86) aims to build on a productive outing vs. NL West-leading San Francisco. The Braves have captured each of the righty’s last three starts, and Perez actually blanked the Padres for seven innings on June 10, 2015. If he continues to limit the free passes, Atlanta should compete well into the evening.
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