Saturday, April 19

SoCal MLB NL Preview

LA Dodgers (7-9) at Atlanta (7-9), 12:55 pm, FOX

ATLANTA (Ticker) - For the moment, the Atlanta Braves seem smart for letting Andruw Jones leave after 12 seasons. Jones looks to break out of his hitting slump on Saturday as the Los Angeles Dodgers continue a three-game series with the Braves. Jones left the only team he's ever known this offseason after the Braves failed to offer him a contract.

Jones, who signed a two-year, $36 million deal with the Dodgers as a free agent, has yet to get untracked. The 10-time Gold Glove winning center fielder is hitting just .167 (9-for-54) with two RBI this season. He went 1-for-3 and was given a standing ovation at Turner Field in Friday's 6-1 loss. Jones may have caught a break, as he will not have to face former teammate Tom Glavine. The lefthander was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 22-year career with hamstring injury on Friday.

Chuck James (0-1, 18.00 ERA) will start in place of Glavine. James, who was recalled from Class AAA Richmond on Friday, allowed six runs and five hits in three innings of a 12-6 loss to Colorado in his lone start on April 9. While Andruw Jones has struggled, former teammate Chipper Jones has had no such problems as he homered twice on Friday and is hitting .455 (30-for-66).

He will look to stay hot against Chad Billingsley (0-2, 5.59), who allowed one run and four hits in five innings of a 1-0 loss to San Diego on Sunday.