Cliff Lee had that stiff neck issue and was scratched on the 26th and hasn’t pitched since. It’s my personal opinion that he is fine and missed his turn on Wednesday because of the trade deadline.
Alex Wood pitched a decent game last time out versus the Rockies. Even so, the Rockies, who suck versus LHP, put up 3ER on 6H in 7 innings. The game before that Wood allowed the Mets 4ER on 8H in 4.1 innings. Those are his only two starts besides his first career start on 6/18, when he lasted three innings versus the Mets and struggled with his command. So basically the Braves let him start three times this year; twice versus the Mets and once versus the Rockies who can’t hit LHP worth a damn. Tonight he faces the Phillies, who are 15th versus lefties. They hit LHP (.706) about the same as they hit RHP (.699). The bad news is that Philly ranks 26th in the league in actual runs scored versus LHP.
Atlanta has won their last 9 games.