MLB Odds: Braves Send Jair Jurrjens Against Visiting Nationals
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
by Frank Martin
The Atlanta Braves appear headed back to the playoffs. The Washington Nationals are fighting to stay out of last place in the N.L. East. But one thing hasn’t changed: the Nationals continue to find a way to battle and pester the Braves.
The two teams begin a three-game series on Tuesday at Turner Field, with the season series tied 6-6. Washington has lost six straight, while Atlanta has won seven of nine.
- Washington Nationals (62-70) vs. Atlanta Braves (79-54)
When: 7:10 PM ET, Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Where: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), Fox Sports South (Atlanta)
The Braves have opened as 183-moneyline favorites on Bet Online Sportsbook’s Live MLB Baseball Odds.
Nationals RH Livan Hernandez (7-12, 4.36 ERA) vs. Braves RH Jair Jurrjens (13-5, 2.71 ERA).
Hernandez pitched well enough to win his last start, allowing four runs in 7 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss to Arizona. Although he’s been knocked around by Atlanta throughout his career (8-18 with 4.71 ERA in 35 starts), Hernandez was brilliant in his last start against the Braves on Aug. 1. That night he allowed one run and six hits in six innings of a victory.
Jurrjens returned to form in his last start, when he threw 6 1/3 shutout innings against the Cubs. But it wasn’t great – he allowed five walks and eight hits. Still, it was his first victory since July 6, a span of five starts. He’s 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in three August starts. Jurrjens has struggled against the Nationals, posting a 0-1 record with a 9.90 ERA in two starts. He’s 3-3 lifetime with a 4.27 ERA in 11 starts against Washington.
It’s been the Tale of Two Zimmerman(n)s for the Nationals this month. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman has fully recovered from his torn abdominal muscle that kept him out two months. He’s batting .333 with a .542 slugging percentage and four home runs in August.
Pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is likely finished for the year following Sunday’s. He’s surpassed the 160-inning limit imposed on him by the club, but will be shut down to protect him arm from overwork. Zimmermann had Tommy John surgery in 2009.
The Braves are playing for the first time since Friday because of the cancellation of two games with the New York Mets over the weekend. The unexpected time off has given Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez a chance to reset his starting rotation for the final month. He will throw Jurrjens, Derek Lowe and Tim Hudson against Washington, and use Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor in the first two games of the series with Los Angeles. That’s the rotation that will be used until Tommy Hanson comes off the DL.
Washington’s Stephen Strasburg is a step closer to returning to the major leagues after throwing five perfect innings on Saturday night. He’s expected to start make one more rehab start on Thursday before rejoining the Nationals.
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atlanta braves - brandon beachy - derek lowe - fredi gonzalez - jair jurrjens - jordan zimmermann - livan hernandez - mike minor - new york mets - ryan zimmerman
