Atlanta Braves (140) – Click Here for Baseball Betting Odds
Wed Jun 11 ’08 8:05p – Courtesy of Mike Rose
Looking to even up the series will be Braves right-hander Jair Juurjens who enters tonight’s start with a 6-3 record and 3.77 ERA. This will be his first career start against the Chicago Cubs franchise. He’s off a winning effort against the Florida Marlins, but his offense had more to do with the victory than his right arm. The kid allowed 11 hits and five earned runs through six innings of work, and it was the second straight start in which he allowed five plus runs. He’s had no luck on the road at all sporting a 1-3 mark with a 4.84 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, and it doesn’t help his cause that he’s been tagged for 28 hits and 14 earned runs in his L/3 starts.

Ryan Dempster continues to be one of the bright spots in the Cubs starting rotation after he helped them pick up a road victory against the LA Dodgers his last time out. The Cubs have won 10 of his 13 starts this season, and he’s been flat out nasty at Wrigley Field compiling a perfect 7-0 mark with a 3.10 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He’s only allowed 36 hits and 17 earned runs in 49+ innings of work within the friendly confines. That said, he’s only lasted 10 1/3rd innings in his last two combined starts, and Lou Piniella needs him to go further to give his overworked bullpen some much needed rest. Dempster really needs to bring his “A” game to notch his 8th victory of the year tonight after taking a gander at his career marks vs. the Braves. He’s 1-8 with a bloated 5.81 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in 13 starts, but he hasn’t faced them since 2003 as a starter.

Chicago’s secured victories in 15 of their L/20 against right-handers this season, and they’ve won each of Dempster’s L/9 starts at Wrigley Field. However, the Braves are 9-1 SU their L/10 against a pitcher with a WHIP less than 1.15, and they’ve managed to win in Juurjens L/5 starts against +.500 teams. The Cubs are smoking hot right now, but Dempster’s been shaky of late and has terrible marks against the Braves. Chipper will also be back in the line-up so don’t be shocked if Atlanta picks up a rare road win in this spot.

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