Can Clayton Kershaw take down the Braves?

     Tonight at 8:30PM Eastern, Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83 ERA) and the Dodgers take on Kris Medlen ( 15-12, 3.11 ERA) and the Braves at Turner Field in Atlanta. Kershaw has not faced the Atlanta Braves this season, which should give him an advantage over the strikeout crazy Braves lineup.

     Dan Uggla (2B) will not play in the NLDS, as he was left off the Braves' roster not because of injury, but performance. His .179 batting average was the lowest in the Majors this season, though he slugged 22 home runs.

     The Dodgers seem to have the advantage almost across the board, with sluggers like Yasiel Puig, Adrian Gonzalez, and Hanley Ramirez. The Braves have slight advantages in OPS and runs scored this season, as well as team ERA, but after the All-Star break, the numbers are switched in favor of the LA Dodgers.

     Anyways, my prediction will be the Dodgers in 5 games, as I think the Braves have enough power alone to win games against the stacked Dodgers pitching staff.

     What about the other series? Well I'm not going to watch any of the others (heh), but here's my picks:

• St. Louis over Pittsburgh in 5 games
• Boston over Tampa Bay in 5 games
• Oakland over Detroit in 4 games (okay, there's my wild pick)

Jose Fernandez hits first career home run, Fish scuffle with Braves

     The Braves and Marlins had a little brawl last night. From MLB.com this is what happened: "Brian McCann, Chris Johnson and Jose Fernandez exchange words, and benches clear after Fernandez gazes at his first career home run."

     From what I saw, it looked like Chris Johnson said something to Fernandez, and Fernandez got him back.

MLB Power Rankings - August 14th

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Texas Rangers
6. St. Louis Cardinals
7. Oakland Athletics
8. LA Dodgers 
9. Tampa Bay Rays
10. Cincinnati Reds

Cardboard Sports Blog

     With 73 wins thus far, the Braves remain the top team in baseball, barely edging the Detroit Tigers, who could very well meet them in October.

Atlanta extends winning streak to 10

     The Atlanta Braves are now 12 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals for first place in the National League East after beating the Phillies 4-1. The Braves are the hottest team in baseball with a 10 game winning streak.

     

     Record-wise, the Braves (67-45) are the third best team in baseball behind the Boston Red Sox (68-45) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (67-44).

Braves lose Tim Hudson to broken ankle

MLB.com

     Atlanta has lost righty Tim Hudson to an injured ankle when his ankle was stepped on while covering first base. Hudson, who was having a decent season (3.97 ERA with an 8-7 record) should miss the entire season with surgery.

Braves win on Freeman's hit, B.J. Upton's two homers

     The Braves snapped a four game losing streak with a walk off win over the Giants. B.J. Upton hit two home runs in the game and Freddie Freeman knocked home to winning run with the bases loaded against Sergio Romo.

Julio Teheran beings no-hitter into the 8th Inning

     The Atlanta Braves' Julio Teheran had a no hitter going through 7 2/3 innings yesterday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pinch hitter Brandon Inge was the only one to get a hit for the Bucs. 

     Teheran ended up striking out 11 over 8 IP, and the Braves won 5-0.

Cardboard Player Spotlight: Justin Upton

Justin Upton

OF - Atlanta Braves

Notable Stats - 2013

• OPS: 1.042     2nd in NL
• SLG: .639    2nd in NL
• HR: 14     1st in NL
• RBI: 28     8th in NL     
• BB: 29     3rd in NL

Age: 25

Debut: 2007

    Justin Upton is making a solid case for himself for National League MVP, if he keeps up his current production, that is. Both Justin and his older brother B.J. were sent to Atlanta before the season, while Justin has continued his success, B.J. is batting a sub-500 OPS, in other words, less than half of his brother's.

    You can also argue that, without Justin Upton, the Braves would not be close to where they are now. Oh and, he is only 25... so he isn't in his prime yet.