Minor League Preview - August 13

The Braves Show's Bill Shanks previews today's action around the Braves' farm system.

RICHMOND
Richmond tries to snap a two-game losing streak as it starts a series against Toledo starting at 2:00 today at the Diamond. Anthony Lerew makes his first start of his second stint with the Richmond ballclub. He started the year in Triple-A and went 1-4 with a 9.38 ERA. Then with AA Mississippi Lerew was 4-2 in 9 starts and a 2.03 ERA. Richmond is now 47-71 on the season.

MISSISSIPPI
It'll be a battle of lefties this afternoon in Pearl as the Braves host the Huntsville Stars. Dan Smith, who has been outstanding as a starter, will go for the Braves against Brewers' prospect Manny Parra (1-0, 2.70). Smith was outstanding in his last start, as he allowed only one unearned runs on three hits, along with no walks and 12 strikeouts. The Braves are 21-28 in the second half of the season.

MYRTLE BEACH
Myrtle Beach heads to Salem after hosting the first-place Avalanche at Coastal Federal Field the last few nights. Lefty Jo Jo Reyes (1-2, 5.55) goes for the Pelicans against right-hander Tip Fairchild (2-3, 4.08). Salem now leads Myrtle Beach by 5.5 games, as the Pelicans have a 24-23 record.

ROME
Rome sends the duo of Jairo Cuevas (6-9, 5.37) and Jake Stevens to the hill today in search of a three-game winning streak against first-place Augusta. Cuevas is 2-2 in his last four starts with a 5.17 ERA. Stevens has done very well since moving to the bullpen full-time. In his last six games, Stevens has an ERA of 1.99 and has no walks in 13.2 innings. The Braves are 22-26 in the second half.

DANVILLE
Sergio Valenzuela (1-3, 5.73) pitches for Danville this afternoon at 4:00 as they host Princeton. The Braves remain in first place with a record of 28-23 despite a two-game losing streak.

GCL BRAVES
Chad Rodgers (1-2, 2.33) and Jose Ortegano (3-2, 3.67) are the scheduled duo for the GCL Braves as they play in Winter Haven against the Indians. Rodgers pitched five scoreless innings in his last game. The Braves are 20-23 and have won two in a row.

Bill Shanks is the author of Scout's Honor: The Bravest Way To Build A Winning Team, a look inside the Braves‘ traditional scouting and player development philosophies. He can also be heard regularly on the Braves Radio Network. Email Bill at .