A much-anticipated and long-awaited debut will finally happen on Saturday as Julio Teheran makes his major league debut in a spot start for the Braves against the Phillies. Game time is 7:05 on SportSouth.
Braves Lineup:
1. Martin Prado, LF
2. Jason Heyward, RF
3. Chipper Jones, 3B
4. Brian McCann, C
5. Dan Uggla, 2B
6. Freddie Freeman, 1B
7. Alex Gonzalez, SS
8. Nate McLouth, CF
9. Julio Teheran, SP
Phillies Lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Placido Polanco, 3B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Ben Francisco, RF
6. Raul Ibanez, LF
7. Brian Schneider, C
8. Pete Orr, 2B
9. Kyle Kendrick, SP
Julio Teheran (AAA: 30 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.53 FIP, 2.4 BB/9, 7.5 K/9)
vs
Kyle Kendrick (13 IP, 2.08 ERA, 4.72 FIP, 6.44 xFIP, 5.54 BB/9, 1.38 K/9, 47.7 GB%, 6.2 SwStr%)
(59.4 FB%, 21.1 CH%, 19.4 CT%; 48.9 Swing%, 86.2 Contact%)
You have no idea how good it feels to type Julio Teheran on a series preview for the first time. Teheran, considered by almost all to be the top pitching prospect in baseball, and certainly the top prospect for the Braves, will be making his major league debut on Saturday as a spot start. This will prevent Tim Hudson and Tommy Hanson from starting on short rest. My analysis of Teheran can be found here. Teheran throws a hard, moving fastball with a solid changeup and breaking ball, all with deception from a quirky delivery and release point. This will rival Jason Heyward's debut as one of the most-hyped debuts in Braves history.
Kendrick has been relegated to bullpen duty so far this season, but per Jim Salisbury, he will make a spot start for Roy Oswalt as Oswalt is dealing with back issues and could hit the disabled list. Kendrick has walked eight compared to two strikeouts in 13 innings of relief.
Opposing Numbers:
A few Braves have had success against Kendrick. Brian McCann is 7-23 with a double and homer. Chipper Jones is 7-18 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs. Martin Prado is 5-8. Dan Uggla is 6-24 with a double and homer. Nate McLouth is 4-14 with two homers. Jason Heyward is 1-8. Alex Gonzalez is 0-6.
What to Look For:
Duh. Julio Teheran.