The Atlanta Braves will look to get back on the rails following Wednesday’s loss to Miami that snapped their seven-game winning streak<\/p>\n
Atlanta had been playing lights out, and it all starts with pitching.<\/p>\n
This series sets up pretty nicely for them they take on a Houston Astros club that has lost 15 out of their last 16 games, and have just two wins since the All-Star break. <\/p>\n
HOU: Armando Galarraga (0-0, 3.60 ERA) v ATL Tim Hudson (10-4, 3.68 ERA) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Houston has just been awful, and against a hot Braves club, you don\u2019t really expect their fortunes to turn.<\/p>\n The Astros are in for a long second half of baseball of they can’t get things turned around soon.<\/p>\n At least enough to make it a little interesting.<\/p>\n The will look to Armando Galarraga to help put just their third mark in the win column for over the last 20 contests.<\/p>\n He made his first start of the year a week ago against the Pirates, and all things considered, he actually had a pretty solid outing. If he can cut down on the long ball, the Astros may be able to get some innings out of him down the stretch.<\/p>\n The Braves will counter with veteran hurler Tim Hudson who is in the midst of another outstanding season.\u00a0\u00a0[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Aside from a couple shaky outings in May, Hudson has been his usual self. Without those three May starts, his ERA would be a full run lower than his current 3.68 mark. That tells you just how good he has been as of late.<\/p>\n Players to watch for: No one on the Houston roster hits Hudson all that well, so I\u2019m going to go with one of their better players here. Altuve has had a heck of a year, and it will be interesting to see him face Hudson for the first time.<\/p>\n Braves – Jason Heyward .270\/17\/52\/.347
\nDate\/Time: Friday, August 4, 7:35 PM EST
\nVenue: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
\nBroadcast: FOX Sports North (Minnesota), NESN (Boston)
\nLINE: Braves -270
\nTOTAL: 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nAstros – Jose Altuve .300\/5\/29\/.347<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\nHis bat has cooled a little from his June numbers, but since being slotted into the three hole, Heyward has started to realize the potential that everyone was raving about during his rookie campaign.<\/p>\n