Cincinnati @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( May 8, 2013 ) Atlanta 7, Cincinnati 2
After igniting their sputtering offense to salvage the finale of a three-game series, the Cincinnati Reds will look to ride that momentum heading into Thursday's opener of a four-game set against the host Atlanta Braves. Brandon Phillips awoke from an offensive slumber to drive in three runs in a 6-2 triumph over Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to that outburst, the All-Star second baseman had three hits in 23 at-bats while the Reds recorded three runs or fewer in six of their previous seven contests.
While Cincinnati picked itself off the mat, Atlanta was felled by a four-run first inning en route to a 6-2 setback to Miami on Wednesday afternoon. The National League East-leading Braves will look to rebound when they face the Reds for the second time this season. Atlanta outslugged Cincinnati by an 18-11 margin to take two of three decisions at Great American Ball Park from May 6-8.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (8-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. Braves RH Tim Hudson (5-7, 4.03)
Latos has fanned 42 batters in his last four outings, but only has a 2-2 mark to show for it. The 25-year-old yielded four runs and struck out 11 in six innings to pick up the victory against Seattle on Saturday. Latos owns a 3-2 career mark versus Atlanta with a slim 1.12 WHIP while holding the Braves to a .228 batting average.
Hudson posted his first victory since May 5 after handcuffing Philadelphia over seven solid innings Saturday. After walking 10 batters in his previous three trips to the mound, Hudson did not issue any free passes against the Phillies and allowed five hits for the third time in five outings. The veteran right-hander, who will turn 38 on Sunday, owns a 4-1 career mark versus the Reds.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta 3B Chris Johnson, who is enjoying an 11-game hitting streak, is 7-for-15 with three doubles and a homer against Latos.
2. Cincinnati's bullpen has tossed 25 scoreless innings over a span of nine straight contests.
3. Reds CF Shin-Soo Choo has just three hits in 12 at-bats versus Braves' pitching - although two of those have left the yard. Choo, who had three hits Wednesday, is riding an eight-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Reds 2