Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( May 20, 2016 ) Atlanta 7, Philadelphia 1

The Atlanta Braves are making up for lost time as their ailing offense has shown significant signs of improvement of late. After belting a trio of two-run homers in the opener, Atlanta vies for just its second series victory of the season on Saturday afternoon when it continues its three-game set versus the host Philadelphia Phillies.

Freddie Freeman launched a pair of shots and Nick Markakis also went deep in Friday's 7-1 victory for the Braves, who homered just nine times in their first 36 games before matching that total during their last five contests. Freeman, who has a team-leading eight of Atlanta's majors-worst 18 homers this season, has gone deep on three occasions versus Philadelphia this season. While the Braves have split the first four contests with their National League East rival in 2016, they have just four wins in their last 15 outings while the Phillies fell for the fourth time in 12 contests. Veteran Ryan Howard drove in Philadelphia's lone run on Friday, but is plodding along at a 4-for-42 (.095) clip in May.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FSSO (Atlanta), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Williams Perez (1-1, 4.78 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Adam Morgan (1-1, 6.41)

Perez looks to celebrate his 26th birthday with another strong performance versus Philadelphia. The Venezuelan right-hander improved to 3-1 in his career against the Phillies after allowing one run on two hits in eight strong innings of a 5-1 victory on May 11. Perez followed that up five days later with a clunker, permitting season highs in both runs (six) and hits (nine) in an 8-5 loss to Pittsburgh.

Morgan recorded his lone quality start in four outings this season versus Atlanta, yielding one run on four hits in seven innings of a 3-2 triumph on May 10. The 26-year-old has struggled in his three other outings since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on April 29, including a disastrous turn versus Cincinnati. Morgan allowed seven runs on eight hits and walked three batters in just 3 2/3 innings of a 9-4 setback to the Reds on Sunday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 3B Gordon Beckham has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests, going 13-for-31 (.419) with six RBIs and four runs scored in that stretch.

2. Philadelphia rookie LF Tyler Goeddel is 11-for-25 (.444) in his last seven games.

3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco has four hits in as many contests versus the Braves this season.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Phillies 2