Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 9/30
By Jeff Schafer
Braves welcome Dodgers to site of May sweep for NLDS
"When the Dodgers were swept out of Atlanta on May 19, there was speculation they could be just a few days away from firing manager Don Mattingly. A little more than four months later, Mattingly and his club will return to Turner Field with legitimate World Series aspirations. June 9, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Minor (36) tosses the ball to first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) to force out Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Nick Punto (7) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY SportsOnce they concluded the regular season with a convincing win against the Phillies on Sunday, the Braves began looking forward to their matchup against the Dodgers in the National League Division Series. Kris Medlen will likely oppose Clayton Kershaw in Game 1, which will be played Thursday at Turner Field.“I haven’t necessarily gone over [their lineup] in depth yet,” Medlen said. “All I know is I’ve faced them twice and I’ve had some pretty good success. They’re a good team obviously. They’re in the playoffs. Regular season is out the window and you just focus on that one day.”"
Fredi ponders playoff roster in advance of NLDS
"Manager Fredi Gonzalez could finalize his decisions on the makeup of the Braves’ playoff roster and rotation within the next couple of days as the team prepares to host Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Thursday, but with several injuries, and performances to observe and discuss, Gonzalez reiterated Sunday morning he will take his time if necessary.The closest thing to a sure bet within the Braves’ playoff plans appears to be the rotation, where Kris Medlen, Mike Minor and Julio Teheran will start the first three games of the NLDS, in a yet-to-be-announced order.“This afternoon or tomorrow, we’ll have a clearer picture of what’s going on and what we want, but the rotation, you guys gotta do the math, really,” Gonzalez said. “Unless something crazy happens here in the next couple of days, it won’t be any surprises of what we can do and what we want to do.”"
Matt Kemp will miss the entire postseason
"Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers know they will be going to Atlanta to start their playoff journey, they have just received word that an important member of their team will not be embarking on that journey with them.Matt Kemp has a significant amount of swelling in his ankle that will require him to miss at least the next month while it heals."
"Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register has also added that Kemp will have shoulder surgery that would keep him out for 6 weeks, although it is presumed that he was planning on doing that during the offseason and that injury alone was not enough to keep him out of the lineup."
Dodgers vs. Braves: First look at playoff matchup
"Game 1, Thursday at Atlanta: LH Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83) vs. RH Kris Medlen (15-12, 3.11).Game 2, Friday at Atlanta: RH Zack Grienke (15-4, 2.63) vs. LH Mike Minor (13-9, 3.21).Game 3, Oct. 6 at Dodger Stadium: LH Hyun-jin Ryu (14-7, 2.97) vs. RH Julio Teheran (13-8, 3.09).*Game 4, Oct. 7 at Dodger Stadium: TBA.*Game 5, Oct. 9 at Atlanta: TBA.*If necessaryRecords: Braves 96-66, Dodgers 92-69 (not including Sunday’s Dodgers game).Season series: Braves, 5-2.NL rank, runs scored: Braves 5, Dodgers 7.NL rank, home runs: Braves 1, Dodgers 10.NL rank, stolen bases: Dodgers 7, Braves 12.NL rank, starters’ ERA: Dodgers 1, Braves 4.NL rank, relievers’ ERA: Braves 1, Dodgers 9.NL rank, fewest errors: Braves 5, Dodgers 14."