Brewers (78-73) @ Braves (79-73) - Series Preview

The Brewers travel to Atlanta for their only trip to Turner Field in 2007. The Braves took two of three from the Brewers back in May at Miller Park. The Brewers start this series one game behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. The Cubs start a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Pirates on Friday.

Pitching match ups:

Thursday - 6:35 PM CDT:

RHP Jeff Suppan (10-11, 4.72) vs. RHP Jeff Bennett (0-0, 0.00)

Suppan picked up a win against the Reds in his last start. He threw six and a third innings and gave up seven hits and three runs. The Brewers are 3-0 in Suppan's last three starts. The Braves are Suppan's least common opponent in his career. He has not faced the Braves in 2007. Suppan is 0-3 with a 9.22 ERA in three career starts against the Braves. Edgar Renteria is 9-28 with a triple and five RBI in his career against Suppan.

Bennett will be making his 2007 major league debut in his start. The former Brewer pitched for Triple-A Richmond this season. Bennett missed the entire 2006 due to right elbow surgery. He made six regular season starts for Richmond with an ERA of 2.15. Also, this will be Bennett's first ever start in the bigs. Bennett made 60 appearances out of the pen for the Brewers in 2004 with an ERA of 4.79.

Friday - 6:05 PM CDT:

RHP Carlos Villanueva (8-4, 4.11) vs. RHP Tim Hudson (16-8, 3.33)

Villanueva threw seven scoreless innings against the Reds in his last start to pick a win. Since returning to the starting rotation, Villanueva is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. He seems to be pitching with a lot of confidence on the mound and even when he gets into trouble he works his way out of it most of the time. Villanueva will be making his first career start against the Braves. In his only career appearance against the Braves, Villanueva gave up one run in a third of an inning of work back in May.

Hudson pitched a shutout against the Nationals in his last outing. The veteran righty has now won at least 15 games in a season five times in his career. Hudson beat the Brewers back in May at Miller Park by pitching seven innings and giving up two runs. In his career against the Brewers, Hudson is 2-1 with a 3.34 ERA in four starts. Bill Hall is 6-13 with a double in his career against Hudson.

Saturday - 2:55 PM CDT:

RHP Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 3.66) vs. RHP John Smoltz (14-7, 2.97)

Gallardo extended his scoreless streak to 21 innings after throwing eight scoreless against the Astros in Houston. He picked up his ninth win of the season after scattering seven hits during his outing. All of those 21 innings have come in the month of September. Gallardo will be making his first career start against the Braves. The young righty is 5-1 with a 1.70 ERA in his last six starts.

In his third season back as as starter, Smoltz is pitching as good as ever. Smoltz picked up a win against the Marlins in his last start. He threw six innings and gave up four hits and just one run. In the month of September, Smoltz is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts. Smoltz gave up eight hits and three runs in his only start against the Brewers this year. He left that start after three and a third innings because of a couple of injuries. Smoltz is 3-0 with a 2.97 in 13 career appearances (four starts) against the Brewers. Craig Counsell is 8-16 with three RBI in his career against Smoltz.

Sunday - 12:05 PM CDT:

RHP Ben Sheets (12-5, 3.82) vs. LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (1-2, 6.98)

This spot could change before Sunday's game actually takes place. Sheets again left his last start early. This time he left after one inning with a hamstring injury. Claudio Vargas replaced Sheets and pitched four scoreless innings to pick up the win against the Astros. If Sheets is unable to go, Vargas or Chris Capuano would be the main options for manager Ned Yost. Sheets is 8-3 with a 4.80 ERA in 11 career starts against the Braves. He beat the Braves earlier this year at Miller Park in his only start against Atlanta in 2007. Andruw Jones is 13-34 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBI in his career against Sheets.

Reyes picked up his first career win in the bigs against the Marlins in his last start. He pitched five innings and gave up just one run. Reyes will be making his first career start against the Brewers. The Braves are 1-7 in games that Reyes starts. The young southpaw has had problems with control in his first year in the majors. Reyes walked at least three batters in six of his nine appearances this year.