Friday, August 20 – 2:20 (SportSouth)
Atlanta Braves (71-50) vs. Chicago Cubs (50-72)
Jair Jurrjens
(3.92 ERA, 4.41 xFIP, 3.05 BB/9, 6.53 K/9, 8.4 SwStr%)
(Career vs. CHC: 2 GS, 0-1, 3.27 ERA, 5 BB, 3 K)
vs.
Ryan Dempster
(3.62 ERA, 3.98 xFIP, 3.62 BB/9, 8.40 K/9, 10.4 SwStr%)
(Career vs. ATL: 27 G, 16 GS, 2-11, 4.94 ERA, 62 BB, 86 K)
Braves vs. Dempster:
Brian McCann: 0-7, 3 BB, 3 K
Rick Ankiel: 1-10, 4 K
Eric Hinske: 0-4, 3 K
Martin Prado: 2-4, K
Melky Cabrera: 1-3, K
Alex Gonzalez: 2-3
Jason Heyward: 1-2, 2B, RBI, K
Cubs vs. Jurrjens:
Kosuke Fukudome: 2-5, 2B, RBI, BB, K
Blake DeWitt: 2-4, BB
Aramis Ramirez: 0-5, K
Alfonso Soriano: 2-5, 2 2B
Marlon Byrd: 0-2, RBI, BB
Xavier Nady: 1-3, 2 RBI
What to Look For:
Whether the Braves can touch Ryan Dempster. His numbers – especially the record – are not good against the Braves, but he allowed just one run on three hits in six innings against them in the beginning of the season, striking out nine. Dempster is pitching well lately as well and is always a tough matchup. Derrek Lee will make his Braves debut today and should give the offense a boost if only to give pointers on Dempster.
My Take on the Opposition:
Dempster is having another good season for the Cubs, posting a 3.98 xFIP with a 2.32 K/BB. He’s walking more but striking out more and is missing about the same number of bats as usual at 10.4 SwStr%. He has given up far fewer line drives and about the same amount of ground balls, so he’s allowing a few more fly balls and that has resulted in a few more homers allowed. His slider continues to be his most effective pitch by far. Dempster has suffered from bad defense lately and has allowed just three earned runs in his last 19.1 innings. He has a 4.94 ERA in 109 innings against the Braves, including one run on three hits in six innings against them earlier this season.
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