Game Preview: Atlanta Braves vs. Florida Marlins (Game 3)
By Editorial Staff
Sunday, July 25 – 1:10 (Fox Sports South)
Atlanta Braves (57-40) vs. Florida Marlins (48-49)
Jair Jurrjens
(4.25 ERA, 4.88 xFIP, 3.88 BB/9, 6.47 K/9, 8 SwStr%)
(Career vs. FLA: 6 GS, 3-1, 4.37 ERA, 11 BB, 22 K)
vs.
Chris Volstad
(4.78 ERA, 4.40 xFIP, 3.4 BB/9, 6.15 K/9, 5.4 SwStr%)
(Career vs. ATL: 4 GS, 1-2, 4.30 ERA, 12 BB, 11 K)
Braves vs. Volstad:
Brian McCann: 1-8, BB
Chipper Jones: 1-8, RBI, 3 K
Omar Infante: 2-3, HR, RBI, 2 BB
Martin Prado: 2-4, 2B
Matt Diaz: 2-2, 2B
Troy Glaus: 0-2, K
Marlins vs. Jurrjens:
Jorge Cantu: 2-17, RBI, BB, 4 K
Hanley Ramirez: 5-17, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, BB, 3 K
Dan Uggla: 7-17, 3 2B, RBI, 2 K
Cody Ross: 2-8, HR, 3 RBI, K
Chris Coghlan: 3-7, 2B
What to Look For:
Taking advantage of the matchup. Jurrjens is making his second start this week and is rolling right now, allowing two runs in his last 13.2 innings, including seven innings of one-run ball against the Padres on Tuesday, striking out seven. Jurrjens has had mixed results against the Marlins in his career and several of the bigger hitters have hit him hard, especially Hanley and Uggla. He needs to keep those two from producing, which hasn’t been easy in the case of Uggla. For the Marlins, they’re more than likely sending Volstad to the mound. He was last seen July 6, allowing five runs in three innings to the Dodgers. The Braves have to take advantage of this matchup in the rubber game.
My Take on the Opposition:
If the Marlins do send Volstad to the mound, the Braves could catch a break in the rubber game. Volstad’s struggles prior to being demoted weren’t anything that different from last season when he had a 4.35 xFIP in 159 innings. He walks too many for his style of sinker pitcher and is prone to having his fastball hit hard. He added a slider this season and it has been his second most valuable pitch behind the changeup. Volstad is giving up a few more line drives and fewer grounders, but he’s pitching relatively the same as 2009.