Manuel spoke highly of the Brewers, who have scored with the best of them, but also boast a solid pitching staff in Zack Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, Shaun Marcum, and Randy Wolf.
"What you see of Milwaukee is all of a sudden with the acquisitions they made to their pitching staff, they've got pretty good pitching," Manuel said. "Greinke, the second half of the season, has gotten well, and he's definitely helped them. Their starting pitching - they've been coming around. Their pitching right now is kind of flying under the radar because [Ryan] Braun and [Prince] Fielder and them are so hot-hitting."
The Braves are without two of their key starters in Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson, who are both sidelined by injuries. Manuel said the weakness on their team is clear.
"If they get a lead after five innings, they can make it real interesting on you," he said. "I think the way to beat them is their starting pitchers. They're going to have to stop our offense and give their team a chance to score runs because you definitely don't want to be behind them - especially from the sixth inning on."
Herndon's ride
A day after throwing 20 pitches and allowing three home runs in one inning, David Herndon threw 69 more pitches Sunday. He lost, but he wiggled out of some difficult jams.
With the bases loaded and one out in the 12th, Herndon induced a foul pop and a fly ball to left. In the 13th, Raul Ibanez made a sliding grab in left, and Hunter Pence caught another liner right at him. The Marlins won it in the 14th once Herndon was out of gas and walked in the winning run. Herndon walked seven in 32/3 innings, but five were intentional.
Only Ryan Madson remained in the bullpen. Antonio Bastardo was not available after throwing in three straight games.
"Herndon had to chew up some innings," Manuel said.
Extra bases
Kyle Kendrick's wife, Stephenie, gave birth to the couple's first child Saturday night. Kendrick is expected to rejoin the team Monday. . . . Chase Utley was 0 for 7 Sunday and finished the seven-game road trip at .121 (4 for 33). "When he hits streaks where it's not going his way, he'll come out of it," Manuel said. "He'll end the season in a good streak. He doesn't stay down very long."
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or @magelb on Twitter.
