Today at 2:10 p.m. ET in Miller Park, Milwaukee, the Atlanta Braves will send Julio Teheran (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound in an effort to duplicate their red-hot start to 2013, while the Brewers counter with Yovani Gallardo (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Live stream the game by clicking this link; Braves fans can hear the radio broadcast on WCNN 680, while Brewers fans can do the same on WTMJ 620.
When Atlanta and Milwaukee take the field today all eyes will be on the Brewers' new right fielder Ryan Braun, who is returning from a season-ending suspension for performance enhancing drug use. The former MVP's production will be scrutinized from every angle this season, but Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is excited after a good spring from his slugger.
"He's working hard at it and he feels comfortable out there," Roenicke said. "I think with the range that he has he'll save us a lot of runs."
Another thing to keep an eye on are Atlanta's myriad injuries in the rotation. Before Game 1 of the 2014 campaign they're already without ace Kris Medlen and promising young starter Brandon Beachy because of arm trouble. Their absence thrusts a boatload of pressure on Teheran's youthful arm, as well as Alex Wood's.
"We always find a way to do it and get over it. Somebody else will step up," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I have the confidence in our club that they'll overcome that."
They'll also need the bats to step up, most notably the Upton brothers (Justin and B.J.) who turned in underwhelming 2013 seasons even though the Braves too the National League East.
They also will hope first baseman Freddie Freeman, who exploded last year with a .319, 23-home run, 109-RBI season that landed him in the Top 5 of MVP voting.
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