[Renojaguar]

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

[Renojaguar]

Here is the last one

GAME 2
After falling to second place in the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox will try to regroup by adding to their recent success against the Detroit Tigers. A 6-1 home win over Minnesota on Wednesday night pushed Chicago into a tie with the Twins in the Central. The White Sox, however, suffered a 6-1 defeat the next evening to lose a home series for the first time in nearly 2 1/2 months. Mark Buehrle (10-9, 4.04 ERA) will try to help his team break out of a 2-5 slump with his fifth straight win over the Tigers and second in 11 days. The left-hander gave up two runs over 7 2/3 innings in a 12-2 rout Aug. 3. Dispite the ups and downs that the White Sox have encountered of the last month the have managed to win seven of Buehrle's last 10 decisions but lost Sunday in Baltimore, giving up four runs and 10 hits over seven innings in a 4-3 defeat. The left-Hander has an elevated ERA of almost 5 but has a healthy 5-2 record at home this year. He's 15-8 with a 2.95 ERA in 28 career starts against the Tigers, including 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in seven matchups since July 23, 2007.
Jeremy Bonderman (6-7, 4.96) will make his first road start since a win over Minnesota on June 28. He has a 6.50 ERA in his last eight outings overall and lost his most recent one on three days' rest, giving up four runs and four walks over 4 1/3 innings in Saturday's 10-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels. Bonderman had lost four straight starts versus the White Sox before winning his only game against them this year, going 6 2/3 strong innings in a 7-1 home victory Aug. 3. However, he's 2-5 with a 5.48 ERA in eight career games at U.S. Cellular. The status of Chicago reliever Bobby Jenks is unknown after he left in the ninth inning of Thursday's loss with back spasms. Chicago hasn't played their best over the last month but Bonderman has been terrible on the road this year with an ERA ovr 6.00 the White Sox should be able to get a victory here and get back on track in the AL central race.

1* CHICAGO WHITE SOX -152