Atlanta Braves head out West again looking to stay hot against Giants
Game 3-Max Fried vs. Jeff Samardzija
Max Fried got back to his April self against the Brewers as he allowed no earned runs over six innings.
He faced the Giants last season in a relief appearance and in two innings he gave up one hit and one earned run, thanks to the bat of Evan Longoria.
Jeff Samardzija has been around for 12 years and according to ERA, he has pitched his best against the Braves.
For his career (13 appearances, 7 starts), “Shark” is 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
This isn’t the same Samardzija though, as he has struggled mightily in the month of May.
In three starts this month he is 0-1 with a 6.28 ERA in 14.1 innings.
Markakis has the most success off Samardzija, as he is 4-for-12. Dansby Swanson is 2-for-6.
However, Freeman (3-for-16) and McCann (3-for-17) have not fared as well.
Game 4-Kevin Gausman vs. Madison Bumgarner
In his three starts after being ejected for throwing at Jose Urena, Gausman has been more lucky than good.
The general numbers are fine (1-1, 3.31 ERA), but look a little deeper and the numbers suggest luck has been on his side.
During that span, opponents are batting .277, getting on base at a .355 clip, while the BAbip is .353.
It’s a wonder his numbers aren’t drastically higher.
From their days in the AL East, Kevin Pillar (13-for-31) and Longoria (8-for-33, with a homer and four RBI) are most familiar with Gausman.
Last season, Gausman faced the Giants once and lost the decision.
If Clayton Kershaw is the ultimate Braves-killer, then Bumgarner might be next up.
In 12 career starts against Atlanta, Bumgarner is 7-3 with a 2.71 ERA.
With his name almost certainly to be talked about over the next two months in trade speculation, Bumgarner has not been his usual “ace” self this season, as he is 3-4 with a 4.21 ERA.
As expected, there has not been much success from the Braves against Bumgarner.
Josh Donaldson is 3-for-8 with a home run and Brian McCann has hit .182 with two home runs and three RBI.
Next. Braves hot or not. dark
Even with two pitchers in Bumgarner and Samardzija who have had their fair share of success off the Braves, it would still be a disappointment not to win this series.