Braves head west for matchup with Padres

Fresh off of a good home stand, the Atlanta Braves will begin a six-game road trip in San Diego on Monday against the Padres. Atlanta is 35-24 and has a 1.5 game lead over the Washington Nationals in the NL East.

The Braves took three of four from Washington over the weekend capped off by a thrilling walk-off win on Sunday. The Braves have won six of ten overall and will head back out on the road where they are 19-12 so far this season.

San Diego enters Monday’s game with a 27-34 record but are just 5.5 games behind the division leading Diamondbacks. Third baseman Christian Villanueva has 15 home runs and leads the Padres in fWAR at 1.1 but left Sunday’s game against the Reds after fouling a pitch off his ankle.

San Diego signed Eric Hosmer to a big free agent contract this offseason and he has been solid hitting .280/.369./.453 with a wRC+ of 128. However, the Padres are just 25th in runs scored and are 28th in the majors with 51 home runs.

Monday, June 4, 10:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)

Julio Teheran (2018: 12 GS, 4-3 W-L, 19.6 K%, 10.9 BB%, 4.03 ERA, 5.12 FIP, 4.97 xFIP)

Julio Teheran will get the nod for the Braves in the opener and is coming off of a solid outing last time out against the Mets. Teheran allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings and struck out three but was a tough luck loser against New York. He posted a 3.65 ERA in six starts in May.

Teheran has been much better on the road where he is 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA in six starts. Opponents are hitting just .178 against Teheran away from SunTrust Park.

Clayton Richard (2018: 12 GS, 3-6 W-L, 19.7 K%, 8.1 BB%, 4.74 ERA, 4.15 FIP, 3.60 xFIP)

San Diego will counter with left hander Clayton Richard who is 3-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 12 starts. Richard allowed four hits and two runs over seven innings in his last start against Miami. He hasn’t much luck in his career against Atlanta posting a 6.75 ERA in nine career appearances.

Tuesday, June 5, 10:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)

Sean Newcomb (2018: 11 GS, 6-1 W-L, 24.6 K%, 11.5 BB%, 2.73 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 3.96 xFIP)

Sean Newcomb has been a splendid surprise for the Braves this season and is coming off of a dominant May where he posted a 1.54 ERA in six starts. Newcomb picked up a victory last time out allowing four hits and two runs over seven innings against Washington.

Jordan Lyles (2018: 18 G, 5 GS, 2-1 W-L, 23.4 K%, 8.0 BB%, 3.65 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 4.02 xFIP

Jordan Lyles began the season in San Diego’s bullpen but moved into the rotation during May and has pitched well in a starting role. As a starter, Lyles is 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA in five starts. He allowed six hits and two runs in seven innings and picked up a victory against the Marlins.

Wednesday, June 6, 3:40 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast

Mike Foltynewicz (2018: 12 GS, 5-3 W-L, 28.2 K%, 10.6 BB%, 2.22 ERA ,3.09 FIP, 3.51 xFIP)

Mike Foltynewicz has been on a major roll of late for the Braves. He was lights out in his last start spinning a two-hit shutout while tying a career-high with 11 strikeouts against the Nationals. He has allowed just two earned runs over his last 32 innings five starts. Foltynewicz has allowed two runs or less in 11 of his 12 starts this season.

TBA

The Padres haven’t yet announced a starter for Wednesday’s series finale.