News
Jurrjens ready for pressure-filled start
Atlanta (85-70) vs. Florida (83-73), 7:00 p.m. ET
By Matt Palmer / Special to MLB.com
09/27/09 6:27 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- Baseball players wait their entire lives for the chance that Jair Jurrjens will get on Monday in Atlanta against the Marlins. With his team nipping at the heels of the Rockies for the National League Wild Card spot, Jurrjens will start on the mound for Atlanta. "This is what you play baseball for -- big games," Jurrjens said. "To be playing for something this late in the season is awesome." It's not an entirely foreign experience for Jurrjens, who was with the Tigers two seasons ago as they also made a postseason push. At the time, the Tigers were chasing the eventual American League Central champion Indians. Jurrjens was recalled from the disabled list in mid-September and struck out six Twins batters in a victory back in 2007. That memory lingers for the 23-year-old right-hander who boasts a 13-10 record with an impressive 2.70 ERA. "There's a lot of pressure already, I'm just going to have to go out there and give us a chance to win," Jurrjens said. "I hope we win." Manager Bobby Cox has won 15 NL East division crowns as a manager, including 14 in Atlanta. Most notably, his 1995 Braves team won the World Series. When told that his young pitcher was leaning on past experiences, Cox smiled. "That's a good way to do it," the manager said. Jurrjens, a third-year player, readily admits that it is hard to put aside the pressure of postseason dreams. "You don't want to be that guy that cost us a chance at the playoffs," Jurrjens said. "You try to go out there, hide your nerves, hide your emotions and just try to give your team your best." The Marlins entered Monday five games behind the Rockies for the Wild Card spot, so the intensity will be at a fever pitch in Atlanta when they face the Braves, who are currently 2 1/2 games back. Cox said Jurrjens gives the Braves a chance to win each night. "He's been an All-Star performer all year," Cox said. "He's had a great year. It doesn't reflect it in his win totals, but he's pitched wonderful. It's just that his run support hasn't been real big," The Braves split a series with the Marlins in late August and early September. Jurrjens last pitched against the Marlins on July 28, going six innings while giving up seven hits and two runs in a no-decision. "The key is keeping people off," Jurrjens said. "With Hanley [Ramirez], [Dan] Uggla and [Jorge] Cantu, those are the three bats in their lineup. If you get them out, you have a chance to beat that team. They have good pitching too. They play good ball. You have to keep Hanley off. He's the best hitter and we have to try and get him out and the rest of the lineup out too." Pitching matchupATL: RHP Jair Jurrjens (13-10, 2.70 ERA)
Jurrjens has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 24 of his 32 starts this season and already matched the 13 wins that he notched as a rookie last year. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is just the sixth active pitcher to record at least 13 wins during his first two Major League seasons. He has allowed four earned runs and 10 hits in the 13 innings that he's completed against the Marlins this year. FLA: RHP Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 4.01 ERA)
Sanchez turned in his best outing of the season his previous time out. The right-hander shut down the Phillies' lineup for eight scoreless innings on Tuesday, holding them to just two hits while striking out seven. Sanchez will try to carry over his success in his next start against the Braves, whom he has had success against already this season. Tidbits
The Braves have batted .255 against the Marlins this season with 14 home runs. Florida, meanwhile, has batted .275 against Atlanta with 14 home runs. ... The Marlins hold an 8-7 advantage in their matchups with the Braves this season. Tickets
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• 640 WGST, Project 9-6-1 Up next
• Tuesday: Braves (Tim Hudson, 2-1, 3.56) vs. Marlins (Rick VandenHurk, 2-2, 4.44), 7:00 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Braves (Javier Vazquez, 15-9, 2.83) vs. Marlins (Ricky Nolasco, 12-9, 5.28), 7:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Braves (TBD) vs. Nationals (TBD), 7:00 p.m. ET
Matt Palmer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
