Game Preview: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves (Game 1)

Thursday, September 9 – 7:10 (Peachtree TV, MLB Network)
St. Louis Cardinals (72-65) vs. Atlanta Braves (80-60)

Adam Wainwright
(2.34 ERA, 3.21 xFIP, 2.29 BB/9, 8.27 K/9, 9.5 SwStr%, 52.3 GB%)
(Career vs. ATL: 8 G, 5 GS, 5-0, 2.00 ERA, 13 BB, 27 K)
vs.
Jair Jurrjens
(4.10 ERA, 4.48 xFIP, 3.34 BB/9, 6.77 K/9, 8.7 SwStr%, 39.4 GB%)
(Career vs. STL: 4 GS, 1-3, 3.27 ERA, 7 BB, 13 K)

Braves vs. Wainwright:
Derrek Lee: 7-33, 2B, 3 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K
Brian McCann: 2-12, 2B, RBI, 3 K
Omar Infante: 5-9, 2B, 2 RBI, K
Alex Gonzalez: 0-7, 2 K
Martin Prado: 2-4, BB
Eric Hinske: 1-3, 2 RBI, K
Jason Heyward: 1-2

Cardinals vs. Jurrjens:
Pedro Feliz: 4-18, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB
Matt Holliday: 7-13, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 3 K
Skip Schumaker: 2-9, 2B, 3 BB
Albert Pujols: 2-10, 2B, RBI, BB, 3 K
Yadier Molina: 2-10, K
Randy Winn: 5-9, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K
Brendan Ryan: 1-5, BB
Colby Rasmus: 2-4, K
Felipe Lopez: 1-3, RBI

What to Look For:
The Braves being able to touch Adam Wainwright. He is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.00 ERA against the Braves in his career. Meanwhile, Jair Jurrjens is a perfect 6-0 at home this season.

My Take on the Opposition:
The Braves could use all the help they can get against Wainwright, who is 5-0 with a 2.00 ERA against the Braves, and they might be catching him at the right time as he has lost his last four starts. Despite the recent rough stretch, Wainwright is having the best season of his career and is a top candidate for the Cy Young award. He has a 3.21 xFIP and 3.61 K/BB. He is allowing fewer homers (0.58 HR/9) and getting more grounders (52.3%). The Braves know they are in for a tough game.