THIS IS IT

Hudson hopes to finish on high note
09/26/2006 10:15 PM ET
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

When Tim Hudson joined the Braves before the start of the 2005 season, Pedro Martinez was the only other big-league pitcher with at least 100 career decisions who owned a better career winning percentage.

But when these two face each other in the second game of the three-game series at Turner Field on Wednesday night, there won’t be much fanfare. Hudson’s Braves have already been eliminated from the postseason, and he’s no longer considered to be among the game’s pitching elite.

The biggest storyline will center around Martinez, who needs a strong start to ensure he’ll pitch next week’s first game of the Division Series for the Mets. The veteran right-hander has been battling a right calf injury and has won two of the six starts he’s made since the beginning of July.

One of those wins came on July 28, when he gave up four runs and then kept the Braves scoreless over the next five innings of a six-inning effort. In his past two starts, Martinez has totaled eight innings and allowed seven earned runs.

Hudson’s last start against the Mets was one of the most forgettable of this disappointing season. He allowed them nine earned runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings on July 29.

In the two starts Hudson has made against the Mets, since limiting them to one earned run and three hits in a complete game effort on April 19, he’s 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA. In his final start, he’ll need to reverse his fortunes. He needs a win to continue his streak of eight consecutive winning seasons.

Pitching matchup
ATL: RHP Tim Hudson (12-12, 4.96 ERA)
The righty has allowed four earned runs or more in 13 of his past 20 starts

NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez (9-7, 4.08)
Martinez is 4-3 with a 3.55 ERA in seven career starts at Turner Field

Player to watch
Marcus Giles is hitting .389 (7-for-18) and has two doubles in his career against Martinez.

Braves, Braves vs Mets, Sports