Series preview: vs Brewers
When (TV): 7:35 p.m. Friday (WPCH); 7:10 p.m. Saturday (WPCH); 1:35 p.m. Sunday (SPSO)
Radio: 680, 93.7, 100.5
Probable starting pitchers:
Friday: Braves RH Jair Jurrjens (0-1, 6.23 ERA) vs. LH Randy Wolf (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Saturday: Braves LH Mike Minor (0-1, 10.80) vs. RH Shaun Marcum (1-0, 4.50)
Sunday: Braves RH Brandon Beachy (0-1, 1.80) vs. LH Chris Narveson (11-8, 4.45 in 2011)
About the Braves:
Batting: Chipper Jones returned from the DL in Houston to go 4-for-9 with a home run and two RBIs, leading the Braves to their first two wins of the season. He’s hit .377 (20-for-53) vs. Wolf for his career with four home runs and 10 RBIs. Jason Heyward is leading the Braves in batting average (.316), RBIs (four), on-base percentage (.381) and hits (six) and is tied with Jones for the lead in homers (one).
Pitching: Jurrjens gave up two home runs and walked three in only 4 1/3 innings of a 4-2 loss to the Mets in his debut April 7, while needing 102 pitches. He’s 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three career starts against the Brewers and won his past two while allowing only three runs in 14 1/3 innings. Craig Kimbrel is 2-for-2 with saves on the Braves first two wins of the season against the Astros.
Miscellaneous: The Braves have won their past three home openers, against the Phillies (6-3 in 2011), the Cubs (16-5 in 2010) and the Nationals (6-5 in 10 innings in 2009).
About the Brewers:
Batting: Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun sat out Wednesday against the Cubs with rib tightness but returned to the lineup Thursday. Corey Hart was tied for the third in NL batting average (.429) and tied for first in homers (three), entering Thursday. The Brewers were third in the majors in runs scored (30) and slugging percentage (.469). Backup catcher George Kottaras has two homers and five RBIs in seven at-bats this season.
Pitching: The Braves miss both Yovani Gallardo and Zach Greinke this series. Gallardo pitched a complete game 1-0 shutout against the Braves last April in Milwaukee. Wolf, the No. 4 starter, went 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts against the Braves in his first two seasons in Milwaukee. Closer John Axford has converted a club-record 45 consecutive saves, including two this season.
Miscellaneous: The Brewers were 3-0 on the road so far this season, entering Thursday, after taking the first three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
-Carroll Rogers
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