7/9-7/12: Braves @ Rockies Series Preview

Atlanta Braves (41-43, 3rd NL East)
@
Colorado Rockies (45-39, 3rd NL West)

The Braves round out the first half with a four-game series against the Rockies.

The Braves got back on the winning track by taking two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley. Solid performances by Javier Vazquez and Kenshin Kawakami highlighted a successful series, though they were unable to gain ground on the Phillies. The continuing struggles of the Mets have the Braves alone in third at 41-43.

The Rockies were routed in two of the three games against the Braves back in mid-May. The Braves are facing a different team this time around, however, as the Rockies have taken off since the beginning of June. One very important stretch in June had the Rockies going 17-1 and gain tremendous ground in the standings. They are coming off a sweep of the Nationals as well, and are only a game back of the rival Giants in the Wild Card race.

(2009 stats followed by career stats vs. opposing team)
7/9 - 8:40
Tommy Hanson (4-0, 2.25 ERA)
vs.
Aaron Cook (8-3, 3.76 ERA...1-1, 4.19 ERA in 8 starts, 10 total games)

Hanson continues to be the talk of the baseball world with his hot start since being called up. His scoreless streak was snapped in his most recent start, allowing one run over seven innings against the Nationals. Also the talk is how he will handle Coors Field and the red hot Rockies. After a slow start, Cook has been dominating opponents through his last six starts. However, he left after five innings in his most recent start due to back problems that have plagued him for much of the first half. It obviously affected him on the mound as he allowed two runs on nine hits. Cook pitched a complete game shutout against the Braves earlier this season.

7/10 - 9:10
Derek Lowe (7-7, 4.56 ERA...7-7, 4.50 ERA in 17 starts)
vs.
Ubaldo Jimenez (6-8, 3.86 ERA...1-2, 5.66 ERA in 4 starts)

Lowe continues to fight his struggles, allowing four runs and not reaching the sixth inning in his last start against the Nationals. Jimenez has been up and down this season, struggling with control and allowing 45 walks. He allowed four runs in 6.1 innings against the Diamondbacks in his last start.

7/11 - 8:10
Jair Jurrjens (6-7, 2.91 ERA...3-1, 2.93 ERA in 4 starts)
vs.
Jason Marquis (11-5, 3.61 ERA...2-3, 8.70 ERA in 6 starts)

Jurrjens allowed four early runs to the Cubs in his last start but settled down to last six innings. The four runs raised his ERA to 2.91, still good for fifth in the league. Marquis has been one of the big surprises of the season, leading the league in wins and has two complete games already. After giving up seven runs to the Angels, Marquis pitched a complete game shutout and allowed just two hits to the Dodgers and most recently pitched eight shutout innings against the Nationals. He still struggles with walks, a low amount of strikeouts, and has a high WHIP at 1.30. Marquis also has a rather high career ERA against the Braves.

7/12 - 3:10
Javier Vazquez (6-7, 2.95 ERA...4-2, 3.77 ERA in 8 starts)
vs.
Jason Hammel (5-4, 4.07 ERA...0-1, 4.50 ERA in 1 start)

Vazquez finally got his ERA below three with a one-run performance over seven innings against the Cubs in his last start. He really earned a win too. Hammel has been a solid fifth starter for the Rockies, though he has been up and down this season through 14 starts. After allowing one run over eight innings against the Dodgers, he most recently allowed four runs on 10 hits against the Nationals.

Key Rockies Relievers:
CL - Huston Street (37.1 IP, 2.65 ERA, 21 SV...3.1 IP, 8.10 ERA, SV)
SU - Alan Embree (23.2 IP, 6.08 ERA, 6 HLD...11.2 IP, 7.71 ERA)
MR - Matt Daley (19.2 IP, 5.03 ERA, 5 HLD)

Key Rockies Hitters:
RF - Brad Hawpe (.327, 13 HR, 57 RBI....276, 6 HR, 19 RBI in 30 games)
1B - Todd Helton (.317, 9 HR, 56 RBI....331, 7 HR, 44 RBI in 76 games)
SS - Troy Tulowitzki (.253, 14 HR, 35 RBI....294, 2 HR, 10 RBI in 18 games)

Rockies Injuries:
RP - Manny Corpas (15-day, bone spurs)
RP - Ryan Speier (15-day, strained hamstring)
RP - Taylor Buchholz (60-day, elbow surgery)
SP - Jeff Francis (60-day, shoulder surgery)