House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Series Preview: Carrying Momentum into Cincinnati

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 27: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves turns a double play as Michael Lorenzen #21 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into second in the ninth inning of an MLB game at SunTrust Park on June 27, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cincinnati Reds won the game 6-5. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 27: Johan Camargo #17 of the Atlanta Braves turns a double play as Michael Lorenzen #21 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into second in the ninth inning of an MLB game at SunTrust Park on June 27, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cincinnati Reds won the game 6-5. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 17: Sonny  Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 17: Sonny  Gray #54 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /

Game 1 – Kevin  Gausman vs Sonny  Gray

Sonny Gray was among several names that the Atlanta Braves may have had interest in this past offseason.

Instead, the Yankees traded him to the Reds where he has not disappointed with an ERA of 2.79 in 19.1 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.93.

Unfortunately for him, he hasn’t had much run support and the Reds are 1-3 in his starts.

Over the last three seasons, he’s made one start against the Atlanta Braves and he dominated giving up just 1 run in 8 innings on 2 hits and 1 walk with 4 strikeouts.

Braves hitters have touched up the righty pretty well with 24 hits in 82 at-bats (.293).

Matt Joyce has the most experience against him as he’s 8-for-23. Maybe he gets a start Tuesday night.

Josh Donaldson has a good history against him as well with 5 hits in 15 at-bats to go along with 7 walks.

Brian McCann is 4-for-14 against Gray with a home run, so I expect him to be behind the plate on Tuesday.

A lot of people were ready to write Kevin Gausman off in Spring Training, but he’s been great so far to start 2019 with a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings with 22 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.76.

Like Gray, he hasn’t had a ton of run support as the Atlanta Braves are 1-2 in his starts.

Gausman has made one start against Cincinnati over the past three years and it wasn’t pretty as he gave up 8 runs in just 2.2 innings.

Reds catcher Curt Casali is 4-for-11 off the righty Gausman with a home run. Iglesias is the only other Reds hitter with multiple hits off of him.

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