Braves at Reds
The Braves and Reds each spent the weekend taking out an American League East power during interleague play. Taking two of three from Tampa Bay lifted Atlanta into first place in the Nationals League East, while the Reds moved up in the NL Central by taking two of three from the Yankees. Atlanta is putting in a claim as the best team in the majors as the pitching begins to catch up to the hitting.
The Braves got a strong start from Tim Hudson in Sunday’s 2-0 win and have allowed an average of 2.3 runs in their last nine wins. Cincinnati got strong efforts from Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto in New York but is still waiting for the offense to break out. Jay Bruce has gone 11 straight games without a home run while Brandon Phillips has gone 23 straight without a blast. At least Joey Votto is beginning to come around with five in the last eight contests.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SPSO (Atlanta), FSOH (Cincinnati), ESPN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (2-3, 7.09 ERA) vs. Reds RH Mike Leake (0-5, 6.21 ERA)
Minor was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2009 draft, one spot ahead of Leake. While both have struggled this season, Minor has been terrible of late. The left-hander has posted an 11.76 ERA over his last four starts and has not made it through the fifth inning in the last two. Minor has yielded seven home runs and issued 10 walks in 20 2/3 innings over the last four turns.
Leake has yet to earn a win this season but is coming off his best outing, a six-inning no decision at the New York Mets in which he was charged with one earned run on seven hits. The right-hander struck out a season-high five in that outing. Leake is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against the Braves.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Chipper Jones (calf) did not start either of the last two games for the Braves but could play Monday.
2. Ryan Ludwick went 3-for-5 with a homer for the Reds on Sunday, increasing his batting average from .183 to .207.
3. The teams split a two-game series at Atlanta last week.