Braves upcoming opponent: About the Brewers
Braves' opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
Keep an eye on: Carlos Gomez. He's always electrifying and sometimes polarizing, if you remember his trash-talking trip around the bases after a home run off Paul Maholm in 2013. Gomez has showed signs of maturing since then, including his gesture this past Sunday. He was hit in the helmet by a 97 mph pitch from Mets young standout Noah Syndergaard. Gomez left the game but concussions tests were negative. After the game he both tweeted and texted Syndergaard to assure him there were no hard feelings. Gomez returned to the lineup Monday and homered and drove in the winning run in a series-opening win against the Tigers.
Who's hot: Ryan Braun had hit three home runs in his past five games entering Wednesday, including one of three consecutive home runs the Brewers hit against Detroit and Anibal Sanchez Tuesday night. (Adam Lind and Aramis Ramirez homered as well.)
Who's not: Martin Maldonado had gone just 1-for-25 since a three-hit game on May 10 entering play Wednesday.
Braves connection: Tyler Thornburg, a Riverwood High product from Sandy Springs, is in his fourth major league season for the Brewers. He has made six relief appearances so far, allowing 13 runs (six earned) in 9 2/3 innings for a 5.59 ERA.
In the news: The Brewers fired manager Ron Roenicke on May 3 after the Brewers got off to a majors-worst 7-18 start. The move was as much about the way the Brewers finished last season as started this one. After leading the NL Central for 150 days, the Brewers lost 21 of their last 31 games and failed to make the playoffs. Milwaukee native, former Brewer and former Braves killer Craig Counsell was hired to replace him. On Counsell's watch, the Brewers were 8-7 entering Wednesday, having just assured themselves of a series win in Detroit.
