Brewers vs. Braves Preview
ATLANTA, GA (AP) – Zack Greinke is finally ready to make his much-anticipated debut with the Milwaukee Brewers.
After Tuesday’s game was postponed by rain, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner will start the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday at Turner Field.
According to MLB odds and oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Braves -134 money line favorites for Wednesday’s game against the Brewers. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 65% of more than 150 bets for this game have been placed on the Brewers +126.
Acquired by Milwaukee (13-15) from Kansas City in a six-player deal in December, Greinke’s NL debut was delayed after he suffered a cracked a rib playing pickup basketball at the start of spring training.
Despite the injury and Brewers’ slow start, Greinke is still expected to help them contend for a NL Central title.
“There is definitely a lot of anticipation,” All-Star outfielder Ryan Braun told the Brewers’ official website. “We’re excited about getting him out there and seeing what he can do.”
Greinke went 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA in 2009, but was 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA for the Royals last year. The right-hander made three minor league rehab starts, including last Friday when he allowed two runs and struck out seven in five innings for Triple-A Nashville.
“I’m healthy, for sure,” Greinke said. “I just had to get my arm strength. It feels pretty good. It should be good enough to be able to pitch my game.”
Greinke allowed four runs in seven innings and did not receive a decision in his only start against Atlanta, a 5-4 Royals loss June 19.
Before Greinke takes the mound, Marco Estrada (1-0, 3.00 ERA) looks to help the Brewers snap a three-game skid while trying to prevent the Braves from a third consecutive win in the opener.
Though Estrada could be sent to the minors after his start to make room for Greinke, he’s made a case to stay with the big club. The right-hander hasn’t gotten a decision in either of his last two starts but has allowed just three runs in 13 innings.
He gave up a two-run homer but only one other hit in seven innings of Milwaukee’s 3-2 victory over Cincinnati last Tuesday. Estrada’s first career victory came against the Braves on April 6, when he allowed four runs in six innings of a 5-4 win.
Milwaukee has managed three runs during its three-game skid. Yuniesky Betancourt went 2 for 3 with both RBIs in Monday’s 6-2 loss to Atlanta.
The heart of Milwaukee’s lineup is struggling, with Prince Fielder 2 for 12 in his last three games and Braun 1 for 7 in his last two. The Brewers could get an offensive boost from outfielder Nyjer Morgan, who was activated from the disabled list (bruised right quadriceps) Tuesday. Morgan is 10 for 22 (.455) this season.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez had three RBIs and was one of four Braves with two hits Monday. The six runs were only two fewer than Atlanta totaled while dropping three of four at Milwaukee last month.
Atlanta (15-15) has won seven of 10, averaging 6.4 runs in the wins compared to 2.7 in the losses. The Braves hope to move above .500 for the first time since they were 3-2 on April 5.
“We’ve been playing good baseball,” infielder Brooks Conrad told the team’s official website.
Gonzalez is batting .321 with eight RBIs over his last seven games. Chipper Jones is hitting .405 in his last 13 versus Milwaukee.
Tim Hudson (3-2, 3.48), who will oppose Greinke, has allowed two runs in each of his last two starts, most recently over six innings of a 5-3, 11-inning loss to St. Louis on Friday. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA in eight starts versus Milwaukee.
Tommy Hanson (3-3, 2.57) looks to win his third straight start for the Braves in the opener. The right-hander has allowed one run in his last two outings, including a 7-0 victory at San Diego last Wednesday in which he limited the Padres to four hits in seven innings, striking out 10.
One of Hanson’s losses came at Milwaukee on April 7, when he allowed three runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 4-2 defeat. He is 1-3 with a 4.02 ERA in five career starts against the Brewers.
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