Turner Field – Despite playing in all but two innings of each of the Braves 75 games this season, manager Fredi Gonzalez has opted to rest his struggling second baseman for the opener of the weekend series with the Nationals.  Jack Wilson will get the start at second base for the 41^st time in his career and bat in the eight spot in the order.  It’s no secret that the last few months haven’t been kind to Dan Uggla, who’s hitting under .110 since a four-hit game at Miami.

Despite the recent struggles at the plate, Uggla looks like a lock to start the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City on July 10^th.  Even as his average drops, Uggla’s defense remains stellar.  On Wednesday night, he started a huge, inning-ending 4-6-3 double play to get Eric O’Flaherty out of a major jam in the eighth inning.  “It’s no secret that I’ve had my struggles at the plate the last three weeks but I’m always going to fight, I’m always going to scratch, I’m always going to be in the game, I’m always going to do what I can do to help us win a game” Uggla said on Wednesday.

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