Game Preview: Game 118 @ Atlanta Braves

After last night's win, our Padres will aim to keep the advantage in the series and build on their momentum going in game 2 against the Braves.

Clayton Richard will toe the rubber for San Diego tonight. He is hoping to have similar success to his last outing, when he threw a complete game shutout against the Cubs at Petco Park. This will be his 25th start of the season and he'll be eyeing his tenth win. The Braves have given Richard trouble in the past. In three starts at Turner Field, opponents are hitting .413 against him, most notably Brian McCann and Chipper Jones, who are 5-for-7 and 6-for-11 against him all-time. However, those two went a combined 1-for-7 last night, so hopefully Richard will pitch just as well against them tonight. He has an 0-4 record against Atlanta in his four career starts against them, so hopefully he can turn it around and get that first win tonight.

Opposing him will be Tim Hudson, who is coming off a poor start against the Phillies. He surrendered six earned runs on six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings against them, giving up a five-run lead and taking a no-decision. However, Hudson has excelled against San Diego, going 5-0 with a 2.98 ERA against us over his career. Our Padres' best shot might be to put up a crooked number against him. Hudson has allowed four or more runs in a single inning six different times this season. Our offense has been good at taking advantage of pitchers' weaknesses lately, so if they can find themselves in a position to pile on some runs, they will be golden.

Our Padres have been on a tear lately. Their record over their last 14 series is 9-4-1, and a win tonight would clinch the series split. Hopefully Richard can continue his recent dominance on the mound and our offense can continue to provide run support so we can keep up our ruining ways.