I like this match up and the way the Braves are hitting the ball they are clearly going to contend for the NL East in 2010. Today they have a solid starter in Kawakami. Kawakami had a 3.09 ERA in 6 spring training starts last year and in 4 starts this year he has 4.61 ERA. I think against a week Pirate line up that is just 2-16 against him he'll lower that ERA significantly as he continues to prepare for the back end rotation spot. On the other side of the hill we have Charlie Morton a guy I know quite well from facing him in high school. Needless to say he struck me out, but that's besides the point. Morton has continued to improve, but I don't think he is quite there yet. Last year he had a great year at home, but was awful on the road and his combined ERA was 4.55 and 6.15 ERA the year before. He has not been good in the spring in previous years, but is getting a real shot this year. However, I think he'll struggle against a solid Braves line up that should have their regular starters out there.
The Dodgers played late last night in a tied game and now have to come back and play a day game. Edge to the Brewers on the pitching hill as they have both talent and experience vs. two questions from the Dodgers. Manny Parra the inconsistent lefty and Jeff Suppan will pitch for the Brewers while the Dodgers send Ramon Ortiz and Josh Towers to the mound. I like the edge on the Brewers side and the value on the line are outstanding.
