Milwaukee is giving up 1.28 HR/9, good for last in the NL. This weekend's starters, Tom Gorzelanny and Alfredo Figaro, and giving up 1.55 and 1.76, respectively. Their collective HR/FB ratio is 14.3%, worst in MLB. Much of this can be attributed to the dimensions on Miller Park, shown relative to Turner Field here:
As the overlay shows, the dimensions are conducive to hitters having an advantage. Luckily, Teheran, Hudson, and Maholm are all prone to inducing groundballs, so the park effects shouldn't be too severe.
The Braves will miss Milwaukee's "best" pitchers (Gallardo and Lohse), and should be able to take advantage of the recent struggles of Peralta, who has been battered around in the majority of his starts in 2013. Gorzelanny and Figaro are recent bullpen transplants called in to supplement the recent rash of injuries that have claimed other Milwaukee starters.
Another player the Braves will miss is Ryan Braun, the heart and soul of the team and the offense in particular. The Brewers still have offensive weapons, though, with Jean Segura making a case for rookie of the year and Carlos Gomez a likely all-star. Ex-Brave Juan Francisco is likely to see some action during the series as well.
It would be particularly frustrating if the Braves can't get their bats going in this series. The opposing pitching is subpar, and the ballpark is one of the league's most hitter-friendly. A team with World Series aspirations should come in and take two of three, if not sweep the series.
Series matchups:
Friday, 8:10 (local broadcast)
Julio Teheran v. Wily Peralta
Saturday, 4:10 (local broadcast)
Tim Hudson v. Tom Gorzelanny
Sunday, 2:10 (local broadcast)
Paul Maholm v. Alfredo Figaro
**Note-Ramiro Pena has been put on the 15-day DL with a shoulder issue. Paul Janish has been recalled from AAA.
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