Matt Magill and Dodgers Hope to Avoid Atlanta Sweep

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Matt Magill (0-0, 6.92) vs. Mike Minor (5-2, 2.75)

Dodgers Lineup:

Crawford 7Mark Ellis 4Kemp 8Gonzalez 3A.J. Ellis 2Van Slyke 9Uribe 5Punto 6Magill 1

Sunday sweep day? The Braves are looking to complete the three-game sweep against the Dodgers on Sunday in Atlanta. The Dodger bullpen has faltered in both of the first two games, and the offense fell flat against Kris Medlen and company in game two on Saturday night. Matt Kemp‘s hitless in the series, and other than Scott Van Slyke‘s two homerun barrage, the Dodger bats haven’t had many sparks. Don Mattingly pulled Capuano in the eighth inning, and Kenley Jansen promptly served up consecutive homeruns to big rookie pinch-hitter Evan Grattis and the second solo shot to Andrelton Simmons. The Braves are a very good team, and the Dodgers are clearly outmatched. Mattingly hopes he can squeak out one game of this series before heading to Milwaukee.

Matt Kemp remains hitless in Atlanta. Photo: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Magill is still looking for his first Major League win. On the heels of Ted Lilly‘s return, Magill will want to impress in order to keep his spot in the rotation. Magill is starting in the disabled Josh Beckett‘s spot. The right-hander was good in his MLB debut, but he’s struggled over his last two starts. Last time out against Miami, Magill allowed 3 runs on 3 hits while walking four in 5 innings. He will get a true test tomorrow when he faces the Braves for the first time.

Atlanta will counter with Mike Minor, a left-hander who will be going for his third win in a row. In his last start against Arizona, Minor allowed 1 run on 8 hits in 6 2/3 innings and picked up a win. Minor is 0-1 with a 2.37 ERA against the Dodgers in his career. Adrian Gonzalez, A.J. Ellis, and even Luis Cruz have hit homeruns against Minor in the past.

Mark Ellis is close to returning to play with the Dodgers. He will make one more rehab outing for the Great Lakes Loons on Monday. Ellis, who injured his right quad back on April 26, said “Everything is fine. No issues.”

The Braves have just recently lost both Jonny Venters who underwent a second Tommy John surgery and set-up man Eric O’Flaherty who may need the same surgery. Even so, the Atlanta bullpen

Mike Minor goes for third consecutive win. Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

is very tough. The Dodgers need to score early runs.The 10:35 a.m. game will be televised on Prime Ticket.