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Dodgers-Braves Preview

Aug 14, 2010 - 4:13 AM By JUSTIN EINHORN STATS Senior Editor

Los Angeles (59-56) at Atlanta (66-48), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Though Chipper Jones plans to come back next season, the Atlanta Braves might not be missing him much right now.

Brooks Conrad has done a fairly good Jones impression at the plate since replacing the six-time All-Star at third base, and he'll try to lift the NL East leaders to a fourth straight win Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When the 38-year-old Jones tore his ACL on Tuesday, it was believed his career might be over - he already had been considering retirement. However, Jones said Friday he will report to spring training next year even after having major knee surgery, slated for Saturday.

"This team is in first place and we've got a chance to do something really special and I feel deep down in my heart we're going to do it, and the fact that I'm not going to be a part of it is what really hurts," said Jones, who was 11 for 23 with six extra-base hits in his last six games.

As hot as Jones was, Conrad has picked up the slack. When Jones got hurt, Conrad came off the bench to hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win in Houston. He singled and scored the following day in another victory, then homered again Friday night as Atlanta won 1-0 in the opener of this four-game set.

"He was excited," Conrad said of Jones. "He came up after the game and said 'Way to go.'"

The 30-year-old rookie might have to stay hot to keep the full-time job at third. The Braves are considering having him split time there with Omar Infante, who has been playing second base in place of Martin Prado (broken finger). Prado, who also could be used at third, is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday.

The Braves (67-48) have won six of seven and lead second-place Philadelphia by three games in the East. They've won nine of 12 at home, where they are a major league-best 40-15.

Los Angeles (59-57) has dropped 12 of 14 on the road and three straight overall, but Ted Lilly (5-8, 3.60 ERA) could end that skid if he wins for the third time in as many starts in a Dodgers uniform. That would match his victory total in 18 games this year with the Chicago Cubs before he was traded.

Lilly has allowed four runs and seven hits in 13 innings with Los Angeles. Despite serving up three home runs in those two wins, Lilly has a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts.

"If you want to be a good pitcher in this league, you're going to have to battle through adversity," Lilly said.

The left-hander is 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in his past five outings versus the Braves.

Derek Lowe (11-9, 4.40) will take his regular turn in Atlanta's rotation despite being bothered by cramps in his hamstring and right arm in his most recent outing. He still won for the first time in four starts, going 5 1-3 innings of a 6-3 victory over San Francisco on Sunday.

Lowe is 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA in his last seven home starts.

He is facing the Dodgers, with whom he spent 2005-08, for the first time since two matchups last August as he went 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA.

Braves rookie Jason Heyward returned Friday after missing two games with a sore knee, but he went hitless and is 2 for 21 with nine strikeouts versus the Dodgers this season.