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Familiar Faces Return to SD as Padres Host Braves

By Nick Lee |
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Aug 16, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder

Cameron Maybin

(25) hits a lead off walk off home run to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks during the tenth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres (56-62) head back home after a quick three-game road trip. They will host the Atlanta Braves (53-64) of the NL East.

This will be the last series in a stretch of teams with a worse record than San Diego. After this series, 6 of their next 8 series will be against teams with a better record. It is also a series of homecomings for a few Braves players. Cameron Maybin, Jace Peterson and Matt Wisler were all part of the Padres organization last season.

The Padres are coming off of a series win in Colorado but they could not get the sweep after a weird and frustrating game on Sunday.

The Braves are also coming off a series win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Braves have been dreadful on the road with a 21-40 record.

The Padres are 26-29 at home this season.

In injury news, Cory Spangenberg is back with the team. Wil Myers is taking pain-free swings off the tee and seems to be progressing towards a return before the 2015 season is over. Relievers Brandon Maurer and Marcos Mateo remain on the shelf for at least another week.

Next: Game 1 Preview

Aug 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder

Matt Kemp

(27) singles in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 Monday, 7:10pm

Colin Rea (1-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Williams Perez (4-3, 4.21 ERA)

Rea had a good start in his major league debut against the Reds. He allowed three runs in five innings and got his first major league hit in his first win of his career.

Perez pitched 7 shutout innings against the Padres in June at Turner Field. In his last start, he pitched a season-high 8 innings while allowing just two runs. The 24 year-old Venezuelan will be making his 12th major league start and his first at Petco Park.

Offensive Player to Watch: Matt Kemp

Kemp of course finally broke the curse of no cycle for the Padres on Friday night against the Rockies. In his last 7 games, he is hitting .391 with two home runs. He also has a 9-game hitting streak that is alive and well. He has struggled against the Braves in his career with a .224 average. He does have 9 home runs in 54 games.

Game 2 Tuesday, 7:10pm

James Shields (8-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Matt Wisler (5-2, 4.74 ERA)

Shields has struggled in August with a 4.74 ERA in 3 starts. He has allowed 8 earned runs and three home runs in his last two outings and has not won since July 17th. He got knocked around for four runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings in his last outing against the Braves in June.

The rookie Wisler was drafted by the Padres in the 7th round of the 2011 draft. He was part of the deal that allowed the Padres to acquire Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton. He will face his former organization for the first time.

Offensive Player to Watch: Cameron Maybin

Maybin is coming off of a walk-off home run on Sunday. He is hitting .429 in the past week. He returns to Petco Park as a visitor after playing his home games there from 2011-2014. He is a lifetime .248 hitter at Petco Park. This season he has been a huge surprise for the Braves, hitting .277 with 9 home runs, better than any season he had with San Diego.

Game 3 Wednesday, 12:40pm

Tyson Ross (8-9, 3.40 ERA) vs. Julio Teheran (8-6, 4.44 ERA)

Ross has allowed three runs or fewer in his last 11 starts. He only lasted five innings in his last start due to a high pitch count against the Rockies. He has had only two starts against the Braves and is 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

After facing two rookies the Padres will then face the young but experienced Teheran. He is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA so far this month. He has struggled in his career against the Padres with a 4.26 ERA in four starts.

Offensive Player to Watch: Jedd Gyorko

Gyorko has swung the bat well lately. In the past 7 games, he has two home runs with 10 RBI with a .292 average. He was hitting .211 on July 28th and now is at .236.

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