SB Nation Atlanta - Braves vs. Diamondbacks: Atlanta Sweeps Series With 1-0 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2011-08-21T16:24:38-04:00http://atlanta.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21376542011-08-21T16:24:38-04:002011-08-21T16:24:38-04:00Braves vs. Diamondbacks Final Score: Atlanta Completes Sweep With Dominant Pitching
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<p>For the second time in four games, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> won a game 1-0 with excellent pitching and a clutch solo-home run. Today's heroes: Alex Gonzalez, <span>Tim Hudson</span>, <span>Jonny Venters</span> and <span>Craig Kimbrel</span>.</p>
<p>Hudson was brilliant once again and improved to 6-0 in his past eight starts. The veteran worked seven innings and allowed just three hits and three walks, most of those runners either cut down on a stellar defensive play or caught stealing. The veteran struck out seven on the afternoon and even contributed offensively with a nine-pitch walk.</p>
<p><span>Josh Collmenter</span> was nearly as good as Hudson, though his lone mistake -- a hanging changeup to Alex Gonzalez -- would prove to cost him and his team the game. The right-handed rookie also tossed seven innings while allowing four hits and three walks, though he only struck out four.</p>
<p>The afore mentioned Gonzalez delivered what would end up being the deciding run with a solo-homer in the third inning. Atlanta had multiple chances to push more runs across the board, including a failed squeeze bunt in the eighth inning with <span>Michael Bourn</span> on third and <span>Martin Prado</span> at the plate. Fortunately for the Braves it would not come back to bite them in the end.</p>
<p>Craig Kimbrel recorded his 39th save of the season, but it was not easy. <span>Willie Bloomquist</span> struck out to start the inning, but Chris Young drew a walk and moved to third on a single from <span>Miguel Montero</span>. Kimbrel struck out <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> on a high 99-mph fastball and closed the door on <span>Sean Burroughs</span> with a filthy slider at his shins. The crowd of 34, 846 erupted as the home team completed the sweep.</p>
<p>Seven games against the two best teams in the NL West, six victories. That's a good week.</p>
<p>The Braves will travel to Chicago to kick off a four-game series that will begin Monday. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, who took the series last weekend in Atlanta, have won seven out of ten and are playing their best baseball of the year. It will be <span>Jair Jurrjens</span> vs. <span>Ryan Dempster</span> in game one.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/21/2376032/braves-diamondbacks-alex-gonzalez-tim-hudsonScott Coleman2011-08-20T22:35:48-04:002011-08-20T22:35:48-04:00Braves Fan Ran Onto Turner Field Saturday Night: Let's Pay Attention To Him
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<p>Television broadcasts do a terrible job of covering contributions made to sporting events by uncompensated participants. They think they're sooo much better than the sort of people that run out of the stands and onto the field during games, and yet they go and <a href="http://writingandshooting.com/?p=340">air really bad commercials like this one</a>. What a mess!</p>
<p>However, SB Nation Atlanta's official policy is to document such happenings, as they are precious.</p>
<p>And thankfully, the citizen journalist is on the scene to fill in the gaps left by TV. The collective is still piecing together details. You should go search Twitter. It's pretty easy.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitpic.com/698kcl">@_fullyloaded shares one of the best photographs</a> so far of Saturday night's <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> vs. <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> interloper -- you are distressed to note he's not wearing a wedding dress, but not every run-on can be perfect -- while <a href="http://yfrog.com/m9nj0fz">@amandaraekelly contributes</a> video of the performer being applauded as he leaves the field with his custom police escort. <a href="http://yfrog.com/hsojncnj">@patrickmorrisey offers up</a> a view of the young man's encounter with some fellow non-baseball players near second base.</p>
<p>Expect SB Nation's Jon Bois to file the definitive report on the spectacle at some point next week. For now, let's just sit and think about all the attention we're paying to that guy who ran on the field.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2011/8/20/2375154/braves-fan-on-field-photo-videoJason Kirk2011-08-20T22:09:52-04:002011-08-20T22:09:52-04:00Braves vs. Diamondbacks Final Score: Uggla Homers Twice, Beachy Dominates In 8-1 Victory
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<p>This is fun.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> continued their winning formula of strong pitching, timely hitting and solid defense on Saturday night to clinch a series victory. <span>Brandon Beachy</span> made the start and was brilliant once again -- six innings, four hits, one run, one walk, seven strikeouts -- and even contributed on offense with an RBI-single.</p>
<p>Atlanta continued to use the long ball to their advantage and hit three more tonight. Trailing 1-0 in the first inning, <span>Dan Uggla</span> hit a big 2-run homer in the first off rookie starter <span>Wade Miley</span> for the DBacks. Uggla also homered in the seventh and was followed up by <span>Freddie Freeman</span> who hit a home run of his own. The home runs for Uggla moved him one away from 30, a number he has hit each year of his career.</p>
<p>The play of the game was <span>Michael Bourn</span>'s incredible catch in to rob slugger <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> of at least one RBI. Bourn sprinted to the center field wall and made a terrific leaping catch and held on to the ball as he crashed into the wall. Keep in mind this was just Bourn's ninth game at Turner Field and he is nowhere close to being adjusted to it's dimensions after leaving Houston's wacky ballpark. He continues to amaze on a nightly basis.</p>
<p><span>George Sherrill</span>, Christian Martinez and <span>Scott Linebrink</span> all pitched well in relief and gave The Big Four a much needed night off.</p>
<p><span>Tim Hudson</span> and the Braves will go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon. They'll face <span>Josh Collmenter</span>, who beat them previously this season in Phoenix. First pitch is at 1:35. </p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/20/2375137/braves-diamondbacks-dan-uggla-brandon-beachyScott Coleman2011-08-19T22:33:56-04:002011-08-19T22:33:56-04:00Braves vs. Diamondbacks Final Score: Atlanta Takes Game One With 4-2 Victory
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<p>A solid starting performance from <span>Derek Lowe</span>, home runs from <span>Michael Bourn</span>, <span>Brian McCann</span> and <span>Chipper Jones</span>, and strong bullpen work led Atlanta to a 4-2 victory on Friday night.</p>
<p>Bourn led off the game with a solo-homer to right off <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> starter Daniel Hudson, who has been tough on the opposition all season long. McCann had the big blow of the game with his 2-run shot in the third and Chipper added his run of insurance in the sixth.</p>
<p>The DBacks had many chances to score, but they were only able to capitalize once. With runners on first and third and two outs, MVP candidate <span>Justin Upton</span> hit a 2-run double into the right field gap to cut the lead in half. The move to pitch to the star with Eric O'Flaherty was controversial -- especially with a left-handed batter on deck -- though it would not end up costing Atlanta the game.</p>
<p><span>Jonny Venters</span> was great once again in the eighth. <span>Craig Kimbrel</span> allowed a bunt single and a walk in his inning of duty, but Upton tapped out weakly in front of the plate to end the game. Kimbrel's save gave him 38 for the year.</p>
<p>The two teams will continue their series Saturday evening. It'll be <span>Brandon Beachy</span> against <span>Wade Miley</span>, who will be making his first Major League start. First pitch is set for 7:10, weather permitting.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/19/2373734/braves-diamondbacks-chipper-bourn-mccannScott Coleman2011-08-19T21:44:17-04:002011-08-19T21:44:17-04:00Chipper Jones Returning For 2012 Braves Season, And Maybe 2013 Too
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<img alt="ATLANTA - JULY 6: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 3rd inning home run against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field on July 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Siz1_pGwOjWeCdLsZRACLthpzjk=/0x164:556x535/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3256068/118341686.jpg" />
<figcaption>ATLANTA - JULY 6: Chipper Jones #10 of the Atlanta Braves hits a 3rd inning home run against the Colorado Rockies at Turner Field on July 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>For yet another season, Chipper Jones will be returning to Atlanta in 2012. Why? And will he return for 2013 and well? The third baseman explains...</p> <p>There has been speculation for the last few seasons on when Hall-of-Famer <span>Chipper Jones</span> would call it a career. It will not be after this season, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/08/19/chipper-ends-speculation-im-playing-next-year/" target="_blank">according to a report from David O'Brien</a>. Here are the highlights from the story:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I'm playing next year," he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. "I still feel like I can go out there and play a good third base and be a threat, at least, at the plate. I'm having a good defensive year and the [batting] average is on the rise."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Chipper <i>has </i>been swinging the bat well thus far in August -- the veteran's OPS of 1.049 is near the top in all of baseball -- and his presence alone in the lineup is big on a nightly basis.</p>
<p>In addition to his recent play since coming off the disabled list, the $14 million dollars owed to Jones in 2012 also has to be a pretty strong incentive for him to make a return once again. While Chipper and his family aren't exactly hurting for money, it would be tough to walk away from that kind of financial incentive regardless if you're a rookie just breaking in or a guy with 15 years under his belt.</p>
<p>As far as 2013 goes? </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I'm not really ready to make that [2013] decision yet. We sit here right now and I feel good, I'm being productive, I'm having fun, we're winning. I like to think that if I can keep my knees and my leg muscles intact for any period of time, that I can still put together a pretty good season. But even if I do that [in 2012], I may just say I'm ready to do something else."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This makes the most sense for all parties involved. No reason to make a commitment to something 18 months down the road.</p>
<p>Another season of Chipper Jones at third base at Turner Field. It just feels right. Maybe -- and this is a big maybe -- a championship in 2011 would change his mind, but I'd doubt it. Either way, let's just hope we cross that bridge when we get there.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2011/8/19/2373637/braves-chipper-jones-2012-newsScott Coleman2011-08-19T21:10:19-04:002011-08-19T21:10:19-04:00Atlanta Leads Arizona 3-0 On Homers From Bourn, McCann
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<p>This weekend's series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> is a big one for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>. Not only is it a potential playoff preview, but it gives the team the chance to further their lead in the wild card race.</p>
<p><span>Derek Lowe</span> has pitched in-and-out of trouble all night, though he is yet to allow a run through five innings. The veteran has given up four hits -- all singles -- and a walk to the talented DBacks lineup, and he has used seven strikeouts to his advantage.</p>
<p><span>Michael Bourn</span> led off the game with a solo-home run to right field. It was his second home run of the season and his first since becoming a Brave. <span>Brian McCann</span> joined in with a mammoth 2-run homer to right to give his club a 3-0 lead in the third inning. Atlanta had runners on second and third with two outs in the fourth inning, but Derek Lowe grounded out to end the threat.</p>
<p><i>For more Braves coverage, be sure to check out </i><a href="http://talkingchop.com" target="_blank">Talking Chop</a>.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2011/8/19/2373616/atlanta-leads-arizona-3-0-on-homers-from-bourn-mccannScott Coleman2011-08-19T07:01:06-04:002011-08-19T07:01:06-04:00Braves vs. Diamondbacks: Atlanta Welcomes Justin Upton, Daniel Hudson To Turner Field
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<p>The Braves welcome in the first place Diamondbacks this weekend in a crucial series with playoff implications. Which team has the edge and what should we expect? </p> <p>The Diamondbacks are having a magical season in 2011. A team that probably had goals of breaking .500 and building for the future currently sits in first place out in the weak NL West. Arizona is making their way south after battling with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> for three games earlier this week, a series they won just one game in. Let's take a closer look at Kirk Gibson's 69-55 club:</p>
<p><b>And the NL MVP goes to...</b></p>
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<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.18593.gif">
<h2><span>Justin Upton</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#10 / Right Field / <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>
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<div class="player_info_body">
<p><label>Height:</label> 6-2</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 205</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Aug 25, 1987</p>
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<table class="zebra">
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>G</th> <th>AB</th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>SB</th> <th>CS</th> <th>AVG</th> <th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Justin Upton</span>
</td>
<td>123</td>
<td>473</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>142</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>75</td>
<td>44</td>
<td>98</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>.300</td>
<td>.372</td>
<td class="td-last">.552</td>
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</tbody>
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<p>Justin Upton may not win the MVP award for the National League for a lack of exposure or east coast bias, but he deserves it. The right fielder always had the potential and talent to become one of the best players in baseball and he has put it all together in 2011. Upton, who leads the NL in WAR at 6.3, has been the DBacks best player and carries the team for games at a time. He struggled in Philadelphia going 1-for-12, but don't let that mini-slump fool you; this is one of the best players in baseball and he can impact a game with just one swing of the bat.</p>
<p><b>He may be small, but don't let him fool you...</b></p>
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<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/player_photos/l.mlb.com/xt.fss.l.mlb.com-p.15648.gif">
<h2><span>Ryan Roberts</span></h2>
<h4 class="player-position">#14 / Third Base / <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a>
</h4>
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<p><label>Height:</label> 5-11</p>
<p><label>Weight:</label> 185</p>
<p><label>Bats:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Throws:</label> R</p>
<p><label>Born:</label> Sep 19, 1980</p>
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<th></th> <th>G</th> <th>AB</th> <th>R</th> <th>H</th> <th>2B</th> <th>3B</th> <th>HR</th> <th>RBI</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>SB</th> <th>CS</th> <th>AVG</th> <th>OBP</th> <th>SLG</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Ryan Roberts</span>
</td>
<td>111</td>
<td>371</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>96</td>
<td>20</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>50</td>
<td>52</td>
<td>73</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>.259</td>
<td>.351</td>
<td class="td-last">.447</td>
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<p>Most fans may not know of Ryan Roberts, but imagine a slightly less talented <span>Dustin Pedroia</span>. Oh, and then add tattoos all over his body. That's pretty much what Roberts is. Upton has been excellent this season, but Arizona would be nowhere without the feisty little Roberts at the top of their lineup. A guy who swings for the fences each at-bat, the third baseman has experienced a breakout season and has been a key ingredient to the Diamondbacks' success.</p>
<p><b>Pitching matchups:</b></p>
<p>Friday - Derek Lowe vs. Daniel Hudson - 7:35 EDT, PeachTree TV, Fox Sports South</p>
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<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Derek Lowe</span>
</td>
<td>7-11</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>145.1</td>
<td>163</td>
<td>81</td>
<td>79</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>53</td>
<td>101</td>
<td>4.89</td>
<td class="td-last">1.49</td>
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<thead>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
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<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Daniel Hudson</span>
</td>
<td>12-8</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>165.1</td>
<td>173</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>69</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>125</td>
<td>3.76</td>
<td class="td-last">1.26</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p>Saturday - Brandon Beachy vs. Josh Collmenter - 7:10 EDT, PeachTree TV, Fox Sports South, MLB Network</p>
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<thead>
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<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Brandon Beachy</span>
</td>
<td>5-2</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>102.1</td>
<td>90</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>113</td>
<td>3.43</td>
<td class="td-last">1.18</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
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<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Josh Collmenter</span>
</td>
<td>7-7</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>111.2</td>
<td>97</td>
<td>46</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>10</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>3.47</td>
<td class="td-last">1.06</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<p>Sunday - Tim Hudson vs. <span>Wade Miley</span> - 1:35 EDT, Fox Sports South</p>
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<thead>
<tr>
<th></th> <th>W-L</th> <th>G</th> <th>GS</th> <th>CG</th> <th>SHO</th> <th>SV</th> <th>BS</th> <th>IP</th> <th>H</th> <th>R</th> <th>ER</th> <th>HR</th> <th>BB</th> <th>K</th> <th>ERA</th> <th>WHIP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td-name td-first">2011 - <span>Tim Hudson</span>
</td>
<td>12-7</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>163.2</td>
<td>137</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>57</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>39</td>
<td>115</td>
<td>3.13</td>
<td class="td-last">1.08</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
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<p>Wade Miley is a rookie left-handed starting pitcher making his Major League debut. Prepare to be shutdown.</p>
<p><b>Series Outlook:</b></p>
<p>This is a big series for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, and probably an even bigger one for the Diamondbacks. They sit 2.5 up on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> in the west and just lost their first road series since early-July. Arizona has a big advantage in the pitching matchup on Friday, as does Atlanta on Sunday. Whichever team wins Saturday will likely take the series.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2011/8/19/2372053/atlanta-braves-arizona-diamondbacks-preview-schedule-scoresScott Coleman