Padres-Braves Preview
Atlanta, GA – The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves are in position to snap a four-year playoff drought in manager Bobby Cox’s final season, but they’re hardly the most surprising success story in the National League.
That title belongs to the San Diego Padres, who will look to hang onto the NL’s best record and extend a four-game winning streak as they begin an intriguing series between division leaders Tuesday night in Atlanta.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Braves –172 money line favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Padres. Current MLB Public Betting Information shows that 51% of more than 169 bets for this game have been placed on the Padres +161.
The Braves (54-38) haven’t won the NL East since their run of 14 consecutive division titles was snapped in 2006, but they’ve used a blend of youth and experience – as well as an MLB-best 32-12 home record – to seize control.
The Padres (54-37) have a half-game edge on Atlanta, however, even though they seemed primed for a rebuilding season. San Diego has overcome a light-hitting lineup thanks to the best team ERA (3.25) in the majors.
When the Braves took two of three in San Diego from April 12-15, neither team likely imagined that the winner of this three-game set would emerge atop the NL.
"It’s very important," Atlanta pitcher Derek Lowe told MLB.com. "It really is. We haven’t seen them in a long time. When you think about them, you think about their pitching. Their pitching is fantastic. … We’re very confident in our starting pitching. It should be a great three-game pitchers’ duel hopefully."
The opener features Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens against San Diego’s Wade LeBlanc, with Jurrjens hoping to continue a successful recovery from a hamstring injury.
Jurrjens (2-3, 4.75 ERA) fared poorly against San Diego on April 12, allowing eight runs in 3 1-3 innings. He went on the disabled list May 5 after going 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA in five starts, but in three starts since returning June 30, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA.
"Jurrjens is not the same pitcher he was in April," Lowe said. "When JJ is on his game, he’s as tough as it gets. The guy who pitched out in San Diego was hurt."
LeBlanc (4-7, 3.30) will be looking for his first win since June 12. The left-hander has gotten some of the worst run support in the majors, but he’s also posted a 5.12 ERA in six road starts, as opposed to a 2.36 ERA at Petco Park.
The Padres have been giving their starters plenty of runs to work with lately. They beat Colorado 9-7 in their final game before the All-Star break, then stayed hot by piling up 26 runs during a three-game sweep of Arizona to start the second half.
Little-used outfielder Chris Denorfia was the unlikely spark in Sunday’s 6-4 victory, going 4 for 4 with two homers.
"A big reason for the run production is that you are seeing it from everybody," said manager Bud Black, who was rewarded with a three-year contract extension Monday. "We are doing a lot of things right offensively. We just have to keep it going."
Atlanta also showed off some power Sunday, using a grand slam from Brian McCann and three RBIs from Matt Diaz to beat Milwaukee 11-6 and salvage a four-game split.
The Braves still haven’t lost a series at home since dropping two of three to Philadelphia from April 20-22. San Diego took two of three at Turner Field from Aug. 25-27 after losing its previous six games in Atlanta.
Atlanta hopes to have third baseman Chipper Jones back in the lineup. He didn’t start the last two games versus the Brewers because of a sore hamstring.
The Braves may be without pitcher Jonny Venters after he was handed a four-game suspension Monday for throwing consecutive pitches at Prince Fielder on Saturday. The left-hander, who can appeal, is 3-0 with a 1.28 ERA in 38 games.
Cox will miss the opener to serve a one-game ban after being ejected Saturday for a record 156th time.
Posted: 7/19/10 10:55PM ET