Fresh off of a two game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Atlanta Braves (28-23) open a Memorial Day weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds Friday night at Turner Field. Atlanta finds itself 3.5 games behind the first place Phillies and 2.5 behind the second place Marlins in the National League East. Atlanta comes into the series with two thirds of its regular outfield on the disabled list. Nate McLouth is out of the lineup with an oblique injury while Jason Heyward is out with a shoulder injury.
Cincinnati (26-25) comes into the series scuffling of late having won just two of its last 10 games. The Reds are 11-14 on the road this season and four games behind the Cardinals in the National League's Central division. The Reds Jay Bruce has been red hot in the month of May hitting .344 with 10 homers and 27 RBI's.
Pitching match ups
Friday, May 27 - 7:35 p.m.
Tommy Hanson (5-3, 2.72 ERA, 61 strikeouts)
Vs.
Mike Leake (3-2, 5.70 ERA, 32 strikeouts)
Saturday, May 28 - 7:10 p.m.
Derek Lowe (3-4, 3.53 ERA, 56 strikeouts)
Vs.
Bronson Arroyo (3-5, 5.28 ERA, 42 strikeouts)
Sunday, May 29 - 8 p.m.
Jair Jurrjens (6-1, 1.56 ERA, 33 strikeouts)
Vs.
Johnny Cueto (2-1, 2.19 ERA, 15 strikeouts)
For more on the Braves and this series, be sure and check out Talking Chop