The Atlanta Braves have been struggling to generate any kind of offense in their resent stretch of games. After ending yet another losing streak, the team is hoping returning home to Turner Field gives them some kind of momentum going forward. They are slowly showing signs of life and a matchup against the equally struggling Milwaukee Brewers might be just what the Braves need.
Atlanta currently ranks 29th in the league in runs per game. They have averaged just 2.28 runs since the end of April. Manager Fredi Gonzalez continues to toy with the lineup in hopes a generating some change in momentum. The adjustment got the team a win against the St. Louis Cardinals despite only managing five hits through eight innings. They rallied for two runs in the ninth inning, but Dan Uggla, Gerald Laird, Jordan Schafer and Andrelton Simmons all went hitless in the game. Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman saved the day.
While the bats are some of the worst in the baseball, the pitching rotation is one of the best. The group has a league-leading 2.82 ERA. Mike Minor will get the start with hopes of keeping it up. Atlanta held the Brewers to just four runs while winning two out of three games in their first series against one another. Minor did not play then, missing the first month of the season with shoulder issues. He is 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA against the Brewers since 2012, keeping Ryan Braun at 0 for 7 with three strikeouts in his career.
Wily Peralta will start for the Brewers. He is 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA on the season. He has given up two runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts, keeping Milwaukee at the top of the standings. In two starts against Atlanta, he has given up just one run in 13 innings. He is playing well as are several players in the batting rotation. Rickie Weeks is 17 for 32 in his last 17 games. Carlos Gomez is leading the team with nine homers and 21 RBIs, but he has struggled against the Braves going .182 in his last 17 games against the team.
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