Previewing 3-Game Set Between the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres to Kick Off 2nd Half

The Atlanta Braves (54-37) will head out West coming out of the All-Star break and they'll begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres (45-45), who are still fighting for a playoff spot.

Atlanta and San Diego are chock full of young talent, both at the major league and minor league levels. However, this series could come down to who has a better veteran presence, especially in the pitching department. So, here's a look at the pitching matchups heading into this weekend series.

Friday, July 12: LHP Dallas Keuchel vs. RHP Dinelson Lamet

Dallas Keuchel might have been one of the few players who wished the All-Star break didn't come at all, as he started on Sunday against Miami and pitched into the eighth inning, finishing with 7.1 innings, surrendering 2 earned runs and striking out 4. That's the second consecutive start where Keuchel finished at least seven innings and gave up two earned runs or fewer. The former Cy Young Award winner is starting to round into form, which is good news for the NL East-leading Braves.

The Padres recently called up right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who in his first start of the year, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, lasted 5.0 innings and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits with 7 strikeouts. Lamet missed the entire 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and in 2017 in his initial shot in the big leagues he made 21 starts and posted a 4.57 ERA

Saturday, July 13: RHP Julio Teheran vs. TBD

San Diego has yet to name their starters for the remaining two games in this series, but the Braves will be giving the ball to Julio Teheran in Saturday's matchup. Teheran struggled in the month of June, but in his first start in July against the Marlins, the veteran right-hander tossed 6 shutout innings with as many strikeouts.

Sunday, July 14: RHP Mike Soroka vs. TBD

All-Star rookie right-hander Mike Soroka will close out the series for Atlanta, and in 15 starts this season he owns a 9-1 record with a 2.42 ERA. He's been sensational this year, but he definitely needed some time off after giving up 4 runs on 9 hits over 4.2 innings against the Phillies in his final start before the break.

This is a must-win series for both sides, as the Braves look to further extend their division lead, while Philadelphia looks to recover the ground they lost over the past couple of months.