On Thursday, the San Diego Padres continue their road trip when they start a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves leaders in the National League East.
The Padres will complete a series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, and defeated the Cards on Wednesday 4-2. Eric Hosmer hit a home run helping the Padres to their 10th win in their last 14 games.
Atlanta was victorious in its last outing 8-2 over the New York Mets. Ozzie Albies connected for a grand slam, while Freddie Freeman hit a home run during the sixth inning in which the Braves scored six runs. The win gave the Braves a one game lead over the Washington Nationals in the NL East.
Eric Hosmer leads the Padres with a .286 batting average. Christian Villanueva leads the team in home runs with 15 and RBIs with 36. Jose Pirela has a team high 72 hits. San Diego has a team batting average of .232, while opposing hitters are averaging .255 at the plate against Padres pitching. On Thursday, the Padres will send Tyson Ross to the mound. The right-hander this season it 5-3 with an ERA of 3.43, 78 Ks and 28 BBs.
Freddie Freeman leads the Braves with a .341 batting average and team high 46 RBIs. Ozzie Albies leads the team in home runs with 16, while Nick Markakis leads in hits with 88. Atlanta has a team batting average of .261, while opposing hitters are averaging .232 at the plate against Braves pitching. On Thursday, Atlanta will send Brandon McCarthy to the mound. The right-hander this season is 5-3 with an ERA of 5.03, 56 Ks and 20 BBs.