Giants vs. Braves: Live Stream, Injuries, Pitching Matchups and Fantasy Preview

Coming out of the All-Star break, two of the best teams in the National League will lock horns in Atlanta for a three-game series starting on Tuesday, as the San Francisco Giants head to Turner Field to take on the Atlanta Braves. 

The Giants have taken control of a weak National League West thanks, shockingly, to their pitching. Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong have kept the team afloat as the offense still struggles to scratch and claw for runs. Given the lack of competition in the division, they could be the most dangerous team out west. 

The Braves are playing their best baseball of the season, winning seven straight games. Granted, they have come against the Cubs, Phillies and Mets, but at least they are taking care of business. The offense is hitting its stride, and the pitching is stepping up its game. 

Where: Turner Field in Atlanta, GA

When: July 17-19

Watch: Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area (San Francisco); Peachtree TV (Atlanta); Tuesday's game on MLB Network

Live Stream: MLB.tv

Injury Report (via CBS Sports)

San Francisco Giants

15-Day DL: 1B Aubrey Huff (Knee), 2B Freddy Sanchez (Shoulder, Back), RP Shane Loux (Neck), RP Dan Runzler (Side)

60-Day DL: SP Eric Surkamp (Elbow), RP Brian Wilson (Elbow)

Atlanta Braves

15-Day DL: SS Andrelton Simmons (Broken Finger), RP Robert Fish (Elbow), RP Jonny Venters (Elbow), SS Jack Wilson (Finger), SP Brandon Beachy (Elbow), RP Arodys Vizcaino (Elbow)

Pitching Matchups

Tuesday: Barry Zito (7-6, 4.01) vs. Jair Jurrjens (3-2, 4.97 ERA)

Wednesday: Ryan Vogelsong (7-4, 2.36 ERA) vs. Mike Minor (5-6, 5.97 ERA)

Thursday: Madison Bumgarner (11-5, 3.15 ERA) vs. Tim Hudson (7-4, 3.80 ERA)

Fantasy Must-Starts

Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants

Bumgarner could be going up against anyone and I would tell you that he is a good fantasy play, but a matchup with the Braves makes him that much more appealing because of their inability to hit left-handed pitching. 

Jason Heyward (.241), Dan Uggla (.245) and Freddie Freeman (.218), three of the key cogs in the middle of the Braves' lineup, have had issues against southpaws all year. 

When you factor in Bumgarner's .170/.212/.245 line against lefties in 2012, you have a recipe for fantasy success. 

Michael Bourn, Atlanta Braves

While the Braves are just now starting to jell as an offense in 2012, Bourn has been on top of his game all season. His .311/.366/.451 line in 88 games and plus defense in center field have made him one of the most valuable players in the National League thus far. 

Even if you don't think Bourn's surprising power numbers will continue in the second half—for the record, I don't—he is such a good hitter and creates problems because of his speed that he will have tremendous fantasy value. 

Bourn is a left-handed hitter who can hit left-handed pitching, so don't worry about him falling into the southpaw trap that I think some of his teammates will in this series. 

Prediction

Just looking at the pitching matchups, I give the Giants the advantage in two of the three games. I think the Braves are the deeper team, so this could be an interesting series to follow. 

Giants win series, 2-1

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