Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (9-8) at Cincinnati Reds (9-8)

GAME PREVIEW

Atlanta Braves (9-8) at Cincinnati Reds (9-8)

Pitching matchup: Kenshin Kawakami (1-2, 4.76 ERA) vs. Micah Owings (0-2, 5.59 ERA)

Time: 1:10 p.m. EDT

Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati

TV: Fox Sports South Radio: 640 WGST

Weather: Sunny, 84 degrees

Twitter: Tomahawk Take

My, how quickly things have turned around.

It only took two wins against the Cincinnati Reds (9-8) to completly transform the Atanta Braves (9-8) current nine-game road trip.

After dropping four of the first six games on the trip, the Braves have an opportunity today to not only sweep the Reds, but to finish the lengthy stretch away from the friendly confines of Turner Field with a winning record.

One things for Atlanta has been a constant during their current three-game winning streak — strong starting pitching.

On the mound for Atlanta will be Kenshin Kawakami (1-2, 4.76 ERA). After winning his Major League debut on April 11, the right-hander has lost his last two starts while allowing nine runs (six earned) in the process.

In his last start on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, Kawakami lasted just five innings. He gave up four runs (two earned) on seven hits and walked three.

Starting opposite Kawkami will be Micah Owings (0-2, 5.59 ERA), who has a 2-0 lifetime record against the Braves with a 3.76 ERA.

Owings doesn’t exactly have overpowering stuff, as evident in his first two starts of the season where he has allowed nine run, but he always seems to pitch well against Atlanta.

If the Braves can get to him early, he could be in for a long day. However, if he settles in from the get-go, he has the ability to control the Atlanta lineup.

Owings has yet to pitch past the fifth inning this season.