Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers Series Preview

Whether or not it was Magic Johnson purchasing the Dodgers to relieve the franchise of the stigma that was the Frank McCourt era, the boys in blue are off to an incredible start. They won nine of their first 10 games, they're tied for the best record in the NL, and Matt Kemp is abusing the baseball so much it's insane. So far this month, Kemp leads all of MLB with a .450 avg., nine home runs and 22 RBI. He's only gone hitless in two of his first 16 games and has an RBI in all but four games. Kemp also proclaimed that he could post the first 50 HR/50 SB season in history; he's well on his way in the home run department, but only has one successful stolen base in three attempts.

In addition, Andre Ethier is right behind Kemp with 21 RBI and is hitting .279 with four home runs. During the offseason, the Dodgers signed a few free agents, two of them starting pitchers whom the Braves will face in this series: Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang. Closer Javy Guerra has recorded seven saves with a 2.16 ERA and shortstop Dee Gordon is second in MLB with eight stolen bases.

As for the pitching staff, 2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw anchors the starting rotation with a 1.61 ERA and Chad Billingsley had only walked one batter in his first three starts while posting a 1.33 ERA before getting shelled in his most recent start. The good news for the Braves is that neither of them will start in this series.

The Braves will see two lefty starters in the series, and that would normally not be good for Atlanta hitters as they hit a paltry .228 against LHP in 2011. This year, however, the Braves are hitting .282 against lefties, having hit six of the team's 18 home runs against them.

Pitching matchups and Dodgers roster after the jump.

Monday, April 23: 10:10 p.m. ET

Jair Jurrjens

#49 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jan 29, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Jair Jurrjens	0-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	13.1	21	12	12	5	9	8	8.10	2.25

Chris Capuano

#35 / Pitcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Aug 19, 1978

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Chris Capuano	1-0	3	3	0	0	0	0	16.0	14	8	8	2	7	15	4.50	1.31

Tuesday, April 24: 10:10 p.m. ET

Mike Minor

#36 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Dec 26, 1987

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Mike Minor	2-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	20.1	13	9	7	0	5	19	3.10	.89

Aaron Harang

#44 / Pitcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

Height: 6-7

Weight: 260

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: May 09, 1978

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Aaron Harang	1-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	16.2	19	11	10	2	8	23	5.40	1.62

Wednesday, April 25: 10:10 p.m. ET

Brandon Beachy

#37 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 215

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Sep 03, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Brandon Beachy	2-1	3	3	0	0	0	0	19.1	11	5	1	0	6	14	0.47	.88

Ted Lilly

#29 / Pitcher / Los Angeles Dodgers

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Jan 04, 1976

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Ted Lilly	2-0	2	2	0	0	0	0	13.0	6	2	1	0	7	9	0.69	1.00

DODGERS BULLPEN

L - Scott Elbert
R - Javy Guerra (closer)
R - Matt Guerrier
R - Kenley Jansen
R - Josh Lindblom
R - Mike MacDougal
R - Jamey Wright

DODGERS STARTERS

C - A.J. Ellis
1B - James Loney
2B - Mark Ellis
3B - Juan Uribe
SS - Dee Gordon
OF - Andre Ethier
OF - Juan Rivera
OF - Matt Kemp

DODGERS BENCH

OF - Tony Gwynn Jr.
UT - Jerry Hairston Jr.
IF - Adam Kennedy
IF - Justin Sellers
C - Matt Treanor