Minor League Preview - May 20

The Braves have four lefties going tonight in the minor league system. Here's the preview.

RICHMOND

After a day off Monday, Richmond starts a two-game set in Norfolk Tuesday night with Francisley Bueno on the hill. The lefty is 2-1 with a 3.43 ERA. The Braves (24-19) have won two in a row and their lead in the International League’s South Division remains at four games over the Durham Bulls.

MISSISSIPPI

The Braves will try to snap a two-game losing streak as they start a five-game set tonight at 7:15 against Tennessee. Lefty Dan Smith (0-6, 6.17 ERA) goes for Mississippi against former Notre Dame wide receiver and Smokies right-hander Jeff Samardzija (3-3). The Braves are 16-29 on the season, nine games out of first place in a very mediocre Southern League South Division.


MYRTLE BEACH

The Pelicans enjoyed an open date yesterday, and tonight they start a series with Kinston. Right-hander Kyle Cofield (2-4, 3.82) is scheduled to make the start for Myrtle Beach. The Pelicans are now 26-17 on the season, 5.5 games up on Winston-Salem in the Carolina League’s Southern Division.


ROME

The Braves finished a disastrous seven-game homestand Monday night when they lost for the seventh straight time. They’ll try to snap out of it tonight when they start a road trip in Asheville. Lefty Eric Barrett (1-3, 3.47), who has had two straight bad starts (eight runs and nine walks in 4.2 total innings) after starting the season very strong, will get the start for the Braves. Rome is now 13-30 on the season, 16 games out of first place in the Sally League’s Southern Division.



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 be heard on 680 the Fan in Atlanta and 105.5 the Fan in Macon. Email Bill at .