GAME 1
The Atlanta Braves' return from a successful road series was tempered by the news of Chipper Jones' potential career-ending knee injury. After a jump and catch in Houston on Tuesday the Verteran third baseman will have to take a seat for the rest of the season as an MRI revealed a torn ACL that wil require season ending surgery. The injury comes at a time when Atlanta already had one of its top hitters, Martin Prado, on the disabled list with a fractured finger. Plus, the status of rookie outfielder Jason Heyward is unclear after a sore right knee forced him to miss the last two games. At the time of his injury, Jones was hitting .307 in his previous 44 games and was 11 for 23 (.478) in his last six. Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad are expected to split time at third in his place, though Prado could shift to that spot from second base upon his expected return early next week. Fortunately for Atlanta, Hudson (13-5, 2.24 ERA) has been at his best lately. The right-hander has a 0.63 ERA in his last four starts and yielded three hits over eight innings in Saturday's 3-0 win over San Francisco. Hudson will try to build off that performance for his first win over the Dodgers since May 31, 2006. He's 0-2 with a 5.04 ERA in his last four starts against them, including one at Dodger Stadium on June 6. Hudson allowed four runs and nine hits over seven innings in that game but did not get a decision in a 5-4 defeat.
The Crafty Right-Hander has been at the top of his game home posting a fabulous 8-3 record with a firm ERA of just 2. Atlanta has lost only 3 of his 11 home starts this year. He enters this matchup 8-2 with a 1.92 ERA in his last 10 home starts, winning the past three while allowing one run in 21 innings. The Braves, 34-11 at home since April 29, split four games in Los Angeles from June 3-6. Hudson hasnot faced the Dodgers this years but is 5-2 in his career against them.
The Dodgers are coming off a deflating 10-9 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night, which denied them a first road series win since the All-Star break. Los Angeles led 9-2 through seven innings but four relievers, including closer Jonathan Broxton, combined to give up four runs in each of the final two.
The Dodgers, losers in 11 of 13 away from home, will try to rebound by helping Hiroki Kuroda (8-10, 3.65) avoid a career high-tying third consecutive defeat. The right-hander, who already has two three-game losing streaks this season, is 1-5 with a 4.54 ERA in his last seven starts. Kuroda is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA in three career matchups with Atlanta, losing his only game at Turner Field on April 20, 2008. The bullpen is a mess right now and Kuroda is a terrible 4-6 on the road this year. not to mention Johnathan Broxtan is unreliable in close game as he has dropped 3 of his last 5 save opportunities. I know the have a long ijury report but htey have won most of their games on pitching and defense this year so I can't see it being a big change because of a few injuries. laying the wood with HUDSON.
1* ATLANTA BRAVES -168
The Atlanta Braves' return from a successful road series was tempered by the news of Chipper Jones' potential career-ending knee injury. After a jump and catch in Houston on Tuesday the Verteran third baseman will have to take a seat for the rest of the season as an MRI revealed a torn ACL that wil require season ending surgery. The injury comes at a time when Atlanta already had one of its top hitters, Martin Prado, on the disabled list with a fractured finger. Plus, the status of rookie outfielder Jason Heyward is unclear after a sore right knee forced him to miss the last two games. At the time of his injury, Jones was hitting .307 in his previous 44 games and was 11 for 23 (.478) in his last six. Omar Infante and Brooks Conrad are expected to split time at third in his place, though Prado could shift to that spot from second base upon his expected return early next week. Fortunately for Atlanta, Hudson (13-5, 2.24 ERA) has been at his best lately. The right-hander has a 0.63 ERA in his last four starts and yielded three hits over eight innings in Saturday's 3-0 win over San Francisco. Hudson will try to build off that performance for his first win over the Dodgers since May 31, 2006. He's 0-2 with a 5.04 ERA in his last four starts against them, including one at Dodger Stadium on June 6. Hudson allowed four runs and nine hits over seven innings in that game but did not get a decision in a 5-4 defeat.
The Crafty Right-Hander has been at the top of his game home posting a fabulous 8-3 record with a firm ERA of just 2. Atlanta has lost only 3 of his 11 home starts this year. He enters this matchup 8-2 with a 1.92 ERA in his last 10 home starts, winning the past three while allowing one run in 21 innings. The Braves, 34-11 at home since April 29, split four games in Los Angeles from June 3-6. Hudson hasnot faced the Dodgers this years but is 5-2 in his career against them.
The Dodgers are coming off a deflating 10-9 loss to Philadelphia on Thursday night, which denied them a first road series win since the All-Star break. Los Angeles led 9-2 through seven innings but four relievers, including closer Jonathan Broxton, combined to give up four runs in each of the final two.
The Dodgers, losers in 11 of 13 away from home, will try to rebound by helping Hiroki Kuroda (8-10, 3.65) avoid a career high-tying third consecutive defeat. The right-hander, who already has two three-game losing streaks this season, is 1-5 with a 4.54 ERA in his last seven starts. Kuroda is 1-2 with a 2.14 ERA in three career matchups with Atlanta, losing his only game at Turner Field on April 20, 2008. The bullpen is a mess right now and Kuroda is a terrible 4-6 on the road this year. not to mention Johnathan Broxtan is unreliable in close game as he has dropped 3 of his last 5 save opportunities. I know the have a long ijury report but htey have won most of their games on pitching and defense this year so I can't see it being a big change because of a few injuries. laying the wood with HUDSON.
1* ATLANTA BRAVES -168