GAME 1
Mike Minor got the Atlanta Braves heading in the right direction with one of the best outings of his career. The young left-hander will once again get a chance to show that he belongs in the Atlanta pitching line-up. Overall he has a 3-2 record with an ERA of 4.26. Minor has won two of his previous three starts, including one against the Cubs on Aug. 12, but out of the 4 road games he has pitched, he only has a 0-1 record to show but the Braves have given him the run support needed to get them a 3-1 record when he takes the hill on the road. Atlanta has not only won 3 out of his last 4 road starts but has won 6 straight starts for this young pitcher. The Braves have not been that hot with the bats as of late posting a Bavg of just .241 but holds a 57-34 record against the right-handers this year. The Braves' scoreless innings streak of 26 innings is their longest since going 29 straight in September 2002, also the last time they posted three straight shutouts. Minor will try to help his team accomplish that feat while winning his third consecutive start against the Cubs (56-72). He gave up three runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 innings versus Chicago earlier this month at Turner Field. Altantas' bullpen has been great this far in the season posting a 3.70 ERA saving 28 out of 39 games on the road with almost a 76% saving radius.

It has been a year of ups and downs for the Cubs this year. Before Monday's game, that was the Braves' only previous victory over the Cubs this season, but they might earn another against Zambrano's replacement in the rotation, the struggling Casey Coleman. He has been terrible thus far filling in for Carlos Zambrano. His ERA is a horrific 7.43 with a record of 2-5 on the season. His last 3 starts have been an absolute disaster posting an 0-2 record with an ERA well over 10. He has lost all 3 of those previous starts with a record of 0-2 to go with it. The right-hander failed to make it through the fourth inning after being recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, giving up four runs and 10 hits in a 4-3 loss in Houston. The Chicago bullpen has not been the best supporter in this roll, failing to save many games at all saving 10 out of 34 thus far.

3* ATLANTA BRAVES -139


GAME #2
The Red Sox may wind up visiting the Texas Rangers to open an AL division series, and based on they way they've played in Arlington lately, that could spell trouble for Boston as they are 5-21 in the last 26 meetings. Lackey gave up nine runs and 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings in a 12-5 shellacking April 2 at Texas, raising his career ERA in 34 starts against the Rangers to a familiar-sounding 6.07. Though he is still 2-1 in his last 3 starts posting an elevated ERA of 4.83. It has been an average road year for Lackey as he is 4-4 with an ERA of almost 6. He is the only AL pitcher to make 20 starts with an ERA above 6.00, Lackey tries Tuesday night to end the Red Sox's five-game skid at Texas, where he delivered arguably the worst start of his mystifying season. The right-hander has six wins and a 3.93 ERA in eight starts since July 9, and a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, he gave up four runs over 6 2/3 innings was his first defeat since July 4. He's 1-4 with a 9.92 ERA in his last eight outings versus Texas. 2 positive things for the Red Sox is, One they are 39-19 in their last 58 road games, and Second their bullpen has been great have saved 21 out of 25 games this year.

Colby Lewis (11-8, 3.83) counters for the Rangers looking to build on three excellent starts. He has a 1.74 ERA in that stretch, though he was denied a win Thursday against the Angels. Lewis tossed seven shutout innings and left with a 1-0 lead, but the bullpen coughed it up in a 2-1 loss. The Rangers' big bats have all fared well against Lackey. Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler are a combined 23 for 48 (.479) with three homers apiece, while Michael Young has a .360 average and has taken him deep twice. Lewis is been just average for the Rangers at home posting a 6-6 record supported by an ERA of 5.15. Dispite the Bullpen problems the Rangers have had, it shouldn't bee much of a contest with Lackey on the hill.

3* TEXAS RANGERS -145