Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves: Live Game 2 Thread!
Alex Wood. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
After a season opening loss yesterday to the Braves, the team now will attempt to pick up its first victory of the 2014 behind the left-hand arm of 2nd-year starter Alex Wood. The game , which starts at 8:10 pm Eastern, will be shown on SportsSouth, and can be listened to along the Braves Radio Network, airing from the team’s flagship 680 The Fan in Atlanta.
Alex Wood got the nod for the team’s second game of the season as a result of injuries to key members of the pitching staff, but he is ready and excited for the opportunity.
"“I’m excited, because I feel like there are a lot more expectations for me this year,” Wood said. “I like the expectations, because I feel like that is what keeps you focused."
Wood has only faced the Brewers hitters in relief appearances he picked up last season, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while gaining 4 strikeouts. As a starter last season, he was terrific, posting the best FIP (min 50 IP) and K/9 among Braves starters. He followed that up with a terrific spring, and is poised to follow rotation-mate Julio Teheran in putting together a solid first outing. Alex Wood sports a four-seam sinker which he is eager to throw, along with a exceptional changeup which he utilizes when he is ahead. His third pitch is a slurvy-curveball, which needs refining, but has great potential (shown especially in spring). So far in his career, he has saved this pitch for left-hand batters who go down in the count.
His results (via Brooks Baseball Pitch f/x):
Meanwhile, the Braves face Kyle Lohse, who has posted solid numbers for the Brewers since joining the team in 2013. The now 35-year old RHP has collected three straight seasons with an ERA under 3.40 and 30+ starts per season. Outside of Ryan Doumit (who will not be starting), the Brewers starter has held his own against the Braves batters, shown here (via B-Ref). His repertoire consists mostly of a sinker (thrown with a two-seam grip) and slider, with the occasional vulcan-grip changeup (mainly to left-handed batters). He has two other offerings, a curveball and four-seamer, which he also reserves to throw against left-handed batters if he gets ahead in the count.
His Results (via Brooks Baseball Pitch f/x):
Lineups
4/1 @Braves lineup vs. MIL: Heyward RF B. Upton CF Freeman 1B Johnson 3B J. Upton LF Uggla 2B Gattis C Simmons SS Wood P
4/1 @Brewers lineup vs. ATL: Gomez CF Segura SS Braun RF Ramirez 3B Lucroy C Davis LF Overbay 1B Gennett 2B Gallardo P
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