NEXT: VS. CINCINNATI REDS
Thursday
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: SPSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Shelby Miller (3-0, 2.05) vs. RH Mike Leake (0-1, 3.90)
Comment: Miller has been a steadying force on the Braves' rotation, allowing two or fewer runs in each of his four starts and worked up to six innings in each of the past two. He's the most likely Braves pitcher to start working into the seventh and eighth and give the bullpen a needed break. Leake gave up only nine earned runs in 22 innings in his past three starts (3.68), but the Reds lost all three.
Friday
Time: 7:35 p.m.
TV: FSSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Trevor Cahill (0-3, 8.03) vs. RH Anthony DeSclafani (2-1, 1.04)
Comment: Who had DeSclafani as the Reds' ERA leader? Who had him as the National League's ERA leader? Well, now you know. The Reds' return from Miami in the Mat Latos trade has allowed only three earned runs in 26 innings over his first four starts with the Reds. The 25-year-old from New Jersey made his first five major league starts last year for the Marlins, and another eight appearances in relief, but never faced the Braves. The Braves are winless in three starts by Cahill, their fifth starter.
Saturday
Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports 1
Probable starting pitchers: Braves LH Eric Stults (1-1, 4.03) vs. RH Jason Marquis (2-1, 5.48)
Comment: After giving up three home runs in his first two outings with the Braves, Stults has settled into a rhythm in his past two. He's given up only three runs in 12 1/3 innings in those games and is coming off his first win as a Brave in the series opener Monday against the Nationals. The former Brave Marquis is pitching for his ninth team in 14 major league seasons.
Sunday
Time: 1:35 p.m.
TV: FSSO
Probable starting pitchers: Braves RH Julio Teheran (2-1, 4.67) vs. RH Johnny Cueto (2-2, 1.95)
Comment: Teheran has pitched anything like an ace in his past three starts, getting beat on a barrage of homers, then walks, and then failing to keep the Nationals in check after leading 9-1. He said his knee is not an issue, which he tweaked four starts ago, coincidentally, but his results are raising questions. Teheran got the better of Cueto in a Braves 1-0 win after each pitched eight shutout innings this time a year ago (April 27, 2014). Teheran is not exactly in that kind of groove right now.
