The Atlanta Braves are on a three-game win streak and are hoping to keep momentum high returning from the All-Star break. Aaron Harang is hoping that helps him as the pitcher looked to be coming around before taking the time off. The right-hander looks to win his fifth starting start against the Philadelphia Phillies while facing off against Cole Hamels.
Harang's last start against the Phillies was his worst. The pitcher gave up nine runs and 13 hits in five innings while losing 10-5. After that, he has gone 4-0 with a 2.57 ERA and looks to be in good form returning from the All-Star break. In his last start he gave up just one run over seven innings for the win.
Hamels will get the start for Philadelphia. He is 3-5 on the season with a 2.93 and is hearing more trade rumors around his name than anything else. In his last three starts against the Braves, he has struck out 24 players over 24 innings. His solid pitching is resulting in plenty of trade talk. Hamels and Cliff Lee could be bait for the Phillies as they begin to focus on next season.
The Braves are keeping the offense moving. In Game 1 on Friday, Jason Heyward homered while Chris Johnson added two hits. The team has totaled 27 runs in their last three games. Heyward is looking strong going 8 for 17 with seven runs in his last four games while Johnson is 7 for 13.
The Braves good performance comes after the team released second baseman Dan Uggla. The Braves and Uggla have not been on good terms over the past two seasons as he remains as inconsistent as ever. Unable to trade him because of his contract, a release was the Braves' only option.
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