Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals Series Preview

Coming off of their first three game sweep of the season, the Braves managed to right the ship with a two win double header at Citi Field against the Mets. The team hopes to keep that momentum going on their current road trip as they visit the Cardinals in Busch Stadium. Currently the Braves are further out of first place than any second place team in baseball, but still solidly have a hold on the Wild Card and are .5 games from the second best NL record held by the Brewers.

St. Louis is typically in the hunt for the playoffs, but this year, it seems like the Brew Crew were just a bit too good. The Cardinals currently have a record of 76-67, good for second in the NL Central Division. However, they sit a distant 8 games back of Milwaukee and 7.5 games behind the Braves in the Wild Card race. It seems as though the Cards may miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year.

Obviously the loss of Adam Wainwright in Spring Training wasn't helpful for the St. Louis ball club. Don't let anyone fool you though, Albert Pujols is still good. Lance Berkman has also had a resurgent year in St. Louis and the Braves pitching staff will try to keep that duo's home run totals to 34 and 30 respectively. The Cardinals altogether hold a .270 batting average on the year, that is good for first in the National League.

The Braves will face off against a middle of the road pitching staff. Overall they rank ninth in team ERA with a 3.85. Their bullpen has an ERA lower than that of the rotation at 3.66, but they haven't used any one reliever in the closer role all season. Ryan Franklin and his terrible goatee didn't exactly start the season off on the right foot so LaRussa has used Fernando Salas, Mitchell Boggs, Miguel Bautista (now a Met), and most recently Jason Motte to fill the role.

Matchups after the jump:

Friday 8:15 PM Eastern

Randall Delgado

#40 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 09, 1990

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Randall Delgado	0-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	15.0	12	8	7	3	6	10	4.20	1.20

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Edwin Jackson

#22 / Pitcher / St. Louis Cardinals

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 09, 1983

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Edwin Jackson	4-2	8	8	0	0	0	0	52.1	60	26	20	8	14	35	3.44	1.41

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Randall Delagado flirted with a no-hitter two outings ago, but goes up against a pitcher that already has one under his belt. That being said, Delgado has pitched terrifically in his last two starts, showing pinpoint control that Edwin Jackson could only dream of.

Saturday 7:15 PM Eastern

Derek Lowe

#32 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-6

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jun 01, 1973

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Derek Lowe	9-13	30	30	0	0	0	0	168.1	182	92	87	11	65	124	4.65	1.47

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Jaime Garcia

#54 / Pitcher / St. Louis Cardinals

Height: 6-2

Weight: 215

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Jul 08, 1986

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Jaime Garcia	11-7	28	28	2	2	0	0	170.0	184	88	69	13	47	138	3.65	1.36

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Derek Lowe gave up five earned runs in his last outing, but had been pretty darn good in the three preceding starts. Let's hope that D-Lowe can get his September magic back.

Sunday 2:15 PM Eastern

Tim Hudson

#15 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 175

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jul 14, 1975

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Tim Hudson	14-9	29	29	1	1	0	0	189.0	162	75	66	14	51	136	3.14	1.13

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Jake Westbrook

#35 / Pitcher / St. Louis Cardinals

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 29, 1977

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Jake Westbrook	11-8	31	29	0	0	0	0	166.1	188	93	86	16	62	93	4.65	1.50

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One would have to think Huddy is favored in this start. Hudson is looking more and more like the obvious game one starter for whatever postseason action the Braves see.