7/28-7/30: Braves @ Marlins Series Preview

Written by: David Lee on 28th July 2009

7/28-7/30: Braves @ Marlins Series Preview | read this item

The Braves wrap up their road trip with three games in Miami against the Marlins.

The Braves are coming off a third straight series win, taking two of three from the Brewers in Milwaukee. The two wins saw tremendous offense from the Braves in which they scored nine and 10 runs. The one loss was by the score of 2-0 due to a shutout performance by Yovani Gallardo. Despite two wins, the Braves were unable to move closer to the Phillies in the East.

The Marlins are in the exact same position as the Braves, with the same record and same number of games behind the Phillies. However, they only have eight more runs scored as a team while allowing more than 50 runs. The Marlins are coming off a series win against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Hanley Ramirez continues to cruise, including driving in three runs on Sunday. They also had the day off Monday as they traveled from the West Coast.

(2009 stats followed by career stats vs. opposing team)
7/28 – 7:10
Jair Jurrjens (9-7, 2.67 ERA…2-1, 6.14 ERA in 4 starts)
vs.
Ricky Nolasco (7-7, 5.42 ERA…1-4, 5.18 ERA in 7 starts, 8 total games)

Jair Jurrjens earned his ninth win of the season with 7.2 innings of one-run ball against the Giants in his last start. Ricky Nolasco has been riding a severe rollercoaster this year, allowing eight runs in one start, giving up two in the next, and giving up seven a few starts later. Nolasco is coming off 6.1 shutout innings against the Padres. Jurrjens allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings against the Marlins on May 7. Nolasco has yet to start against the Braves this season.

7/29 – 7:10
Kenshin Kawakami (5-7, 4.04 ERA…0-1, 6.00 ERA in 1 start)
vs.
Josh Johnson (9-2, 2.80 ERA…3-1, 2.45 ERA in 8 starts, 9 total games)

Kenshin Kawakami struggled with command in his last start, only going five innings despite allowing just one run to the Giants. Josh Johnson continues to impress as one of the top young pitchers in the game today, allowing three runs in seven innings against the Dodgers in his last start. Kawakami struggled in his first start against the Marlins on April 16, allowing four earned runs in six innings. Johnson hasn’t made a start against the Braves this season.

7/30 – 7:10
Javier Vazquez (8-7, 2.98 ERA…6-6, 4.67 ERA in 17 starts, 18 total games)
vs.
Rick VandenHurk (1-0, 2.45 ERA…2-0, 4.19 ERA in 4 starts, 5 total games)

Javier Vazquez pitched much better than his numbers show in his last start, allowing four runs in seven innings against the Brewers and still earning his eighth win. Rick VandenHurk has made two starts since getting called up on July 20 for the first time this season. He has made the most of it, allowing a total of three runs in 11 innings against the Padres and Dodgers. Vazquez saw the Marlins on April 14, allowing three runs in six innings and striking out 12, still tied for his season high in punch outs.

Key Marlins Relievers:
CL – Leo Nunez (44 IP, 3.89 ERA, 7 SV…4 IP, 0.00 ERA)
SU – Dan Meyer (38 IP, 2.13 ERA, 13 HLD…4.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 HLD)
MR – Kiko Calero (36.2 IP, 1.72 ERA, 9 HLD…7 IP, 2.57 ERA, 3 HLD)

Key Marlins Hitters:
SS – Hanley Ramirez (.348, 15 HR, 65 RBI….251, 7 HR, 22 RBI in 59 games)
2B – Dan Uggla (.229, 17 HR, 52 RBI….288, 14 HR, 42 RBI in 58 games)
1B – Jorge Cantu (.290, 10 HR, 57 RBI….250, 2 HR, 16 RBI in 26 games)

Marlins Injuries:
RP – Matt Lindstrom (15-day, elbow strain)
SP – Anibal Sanchez (60-day, shoulder sprain)
RP – Dave Davidson (60-day, shoulder strain)
CF – Alfredo Amezaga (60-day, knee contusion)
RP – Scott Proctor (60-day, elbow surgery)

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Topics: Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Hanley Ramirez, jair jurrjens, Josh Johnson, kenshin kawakami, Ricky Nolasco