Atlanta @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2013 ) Atlanta 2, LA Dodgers 1
The Atlanta Braves attempt to earn a split of their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers when the clubs meet at Dodger Stadium in the finale on Sunday. Atlanta was outscored 7-1 in losing the first two games of the series before doubling its output in Saturday's victory. The Braves received solo home runs from Dan Uggla and Kris Medlen, who scattered five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings while driving in what proved to be the winning run with his first career blast.
The loss dropped Los Angeles to 4-2 on its 10-game homestand. The Dodgers were kept off the scoreboard until the eighth inning, when pinch-hitter Hanley Ramirez delivered an RBI single. Ramirez was kept out of the starting lineup for the third straight game due to a left hamstring injury but is expected to return Sunday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (7-2, 2.52 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Matt Magill (0-1, 6.38)
Minor has not lost since April 28 at Detroit, going 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in seven starts since. The 25-year-old lasted six innings in his last outing, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits in a no-decision against Pittsburgh. Minor also did not factor in the decision in his last starter vs. the Dodgers despite yielding only two runs and three hits over six frames.
Magill is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to make his sixth career start in place of Ted Lilly, who likely is headed to the disabled list with a chronic neck injury. The 23-year-old Magill was sent to the minors after allowing seven runs (six earned) on five hits and nine walks in six innings of a loss at Colorado last Sunday. He pitched well at Atlanta in his previous outing, yielding just one run and five hits over five frames on May 19.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers rookie OF Yasiel Puig went 2-for-4 on Saturday and is hitting .435 (10-for-23) over his first six major-league games.
2. Atlanta OF Justin Upton has gone 12 games without an RBI and has driven in only one run in his last 18 contests.
3. Los Angeles OF Matt Kemp, who is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Albuquerque next week.
PREDICTION: Braves 6, Dodgers 2