Dodgers Vs. Braves Preview: Correia Debuts Against Braves
As the Los Angeles Dodgers head to Turner Field for the first time this season to begin a four game set another Dodgers will be making his first appearance as well. Kevin Correia who was acquired on Saturday from the Minnesota Twins is set to make his Dodgers debut against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Don Mattingly started Correia to add some needed relief to the rotation and possibly use him as a long inning reliever. Tonight is also the first time the Dodgers have been to the Turner Field since the 3-1 series win against the Braves in the 2013 NLDS.
Correia will make his ninth career start against the Braves and has fared okay with a 3-3 record and 4.24 ERA. His 5-13 record isn’t that flashy but has only given up four earned runs in his last 12 innings of work. In the month of June Correia had a solid 3.41 ERA and Mattingly will hope that he can replicate anything close to that. Correia lasted six innings in his last against the San Diego Padres giving up three runs and five hits in a no decision Twins loss.
On the mound for the Braves will be Julio Teheran (10-8, 2.92) who is has pitched well at home with a 4-1 record and 1.48 ERA. Teheran faced the Dodgers earlier the season at Dodger Stadium and got the loss. While Teheran lost the game he pitched very well giving up only 2 runs and striking out nine in a 2-1 Dodgers win. The Braves got swept when they visited the Dodgers last month.
In a lineup note Yasiel Puig returns to the lineup after getting a day off yesterday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Puig could be a big factor in this series since he has very well against the Braves with a .511 BA and three homeruns. Justin Turner will also be filling in Juan Uribe who is getting a day off a third base.
For the Braves Justin Upton has swung the bat well against the Dodgers this season with a .417 BA and three RBI’s.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Gordon
CF: Puig
1B: Gonzalez
RF: Kemp
LF: Crawford
3B: Turner
C: Ellis
SS: Rojas
P: Correia
Braves Lineup
SS: Bonifacio
2B: La Stella
1B: Freeman
LF: Upton
RF: Heyward
C: Gattis
3B: Johnson
CF: Upton
P: Teheran
