Pre-Game & Lineups: San Francisco Giants Vs. Atlanta Braves 5/13

The Giants and the Braves continue their 3 game series tonight at AT&T Park. Atlanta sends out LHP Mike Minor (0-2, 6.97 ERA) to face RHP Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 3.93 ERA). First pitch is 7:15 PT. The Giants enter tonight’s game with the NL’s best overall winning percentage (.641, 25-14) and a 2.5 game lead over Colorado.

First things first. Brandon Belt had successful surgery today at Stanford University Medical Center performed by Dr. Tim McAdams. The first baseman had two screws surgically installed in his broken thumb and will be out at least 6 weeks. He’s currently on the 15-day DL.

Hector Sanchez is getting his first ever MLB start at first base tonight. Buster Posey is back behind the plate with Michael Morse out in left field. The lineups for tonight’s game.

The Giants faced Mike Minor in his season debut on May 2nd in Atlanta. They got the best of him. Angel Pagan and Morse both hit solo home runs in a 2-1 Giants victory. Pagan’s was a leadoff homer. Overall Minor went 6 innings giving up 7 hits. The solo shots were the only extra base hits he allowed.

Ryan Vogelsong has improved dramatically in his last few outings. After going 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in his first 4 starts, Vogelsong has dropped his ERA to 3.93 over his last 3 starts. He got his only win of the season May 3rd in Atlanta.

You’ll note that the Braves are once again batting their pitcher in the 8 spot, and the second baseman ninth. The only reason I can see for doing this is that Fredi Gonzalez wants to clear that automatic out quicker and maybe have a double leadoff type of lineup. If it’s not that, I’d be one pissed off second baseman.

Michael Morse is 6 for 12 off Mike Minor with a home run and 2 doubles.

On the flip side, Pablo Sandoval is 0 for 11 lifetime off Minor.

Watch out for Freddie Freeman again tonight. He’s 5 for 13 with 2 home runs against Vogelsong.

The Giants have won 10 of their last 13 games and 14 of their last 18. If the Giants beat the Braves tonight it will be their 5th straight win against Atlanta. That hasn’t been done by a Giants team since 1990. Gee, I wonder why. (Hint, it has to do with Bobby Cox and a whole lot of pitching.)

Giants pitchers continue to dominate. They’ve given up 5 runs in 4 games against Atlanta this season. Overall opponents have hit .197 against Giants pitchers with runners in scoring position. The best in the National League.

Tyler Colvin is not in the lineup one night after hitting a home run. I thought Bochy had a “hit a homer, play tomorrow” rule. What’s up with that?