Braves vs. Dodgers
Rebounding from a loss is something neither Atlanta nor Los Angeles has faced much recently, but two of the hottest teams in baseball open a three-game set looking to move past Sunday defeats. The Braves had won five in a row and 10 of their past 11 before dropping the finale of a four-game series at Arizona. The Dodgers were winners of seven of their past nine before losing their finale at Houston.
The Braves (10-6) and Dodgers (12-4) are two of just six teams to reach double digits in wins. Atlanta’s offense has been a big surprise, outscoring the opposition 81-46 in its past 12 games. Strong starting pitching also has sparked the Braves, although starter Jair Jurrjens looks to turn around a miserable start to his season in the series opener. Priority No. 1 for Atlanta is containing Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp, who leads the majors in average (.450), homers (nine) and RBIs (22).
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Jair Jurrjens (0-1, ERA 8.10) vs. Los Angeles LH Chris Capuano (1-0, ERA 4.50)
Jurrjens did not record an out in the fifth inning in his last start against the Mets, and has been Atlanta’s worst starter by far in the first three weeks. An All-Star last year, the right-hander has just eight strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings while giving up 21 hits and five homers. But Jurrjens has fared well against the Dodgers in his career, going 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts.
Capuano pitched six solid innings in his last outing against the Brewers, giving up two earned runs on six hits in six innings. He ended up with a no-decision. The left-hander is 4-3 with a 2.82 ERA lifetime against Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Jurrjens was 10-3 with a 2.07 ERA on June 25 last year. He’s won just three times since.
2. Kemp draws all the attention, but fellow L.A. outfielder Andre Ethier is second in the majors in RBIs with 21. Ethier is hitting .455 (5-for-11) lifetime against Jurrjens with seven RBIs.
3. The Braves lead the NL in runs (91), trailing only Texas (94) for most in the majors.