Minnesota @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 21, 2013 ) Minnesota 4, Atlanta 5

With their bullpen decimated by injuries, the Atlanta Braves are relying on some unfamiliar names to shut down opposing lineups. The Braves host the Minnesota Twins in the finale of a three-game series Wednesday, trying to shake squandering a late lead before rallying for a 5-4 triumph in 10 innings. Atlanta came into Tuesday's games leading the majors in bullpen ERA (2.64), but season-ending Tommy John surgeries to lefty relievers Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty in the past week have thrust Luis Avilan and Cory Gearrin into set-up roles.

The Twins were within 2 1/2 games of the lead in the AL Central nine days ago, but have dropped to seven out of first and into last place thanks to a seven-game losing streak. Justin Morneau is doing his part to keep the Twins afloat, going 2-for-4 Tuesday to raise his May average to .372 (29-for-78) with 19 RBIs. Minnesota is mired in its longest losing streak since dropping 11 in a row in September 2011. Atlanta has won its past five games.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Vance Worley (1-4, 6.20 ERA) vs. Braves LH Paul Maholm (5-4, 3.83).

Worley has struggled in his first season in the American League, allowing an opponents’ batting average of .369 while surrendered nine hits or more three times in his past four starts. The right-hander pitched better in his last outing, giving up no earned runs on six hits in six innings in a no-decision against Boston. Worley spent three seasons with Philadelphia, going 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA in six appearances (four starts) against Atlanta.

Maholm has cooled considerably since winning his first three starts and not allowing an earned run. The left-hander is 2-4 with a 6.15 ERA in his past six starts, advancing past the sixth inning on just one occasion. Maholm has faced Minnesota twice, going 0-1 with an 8.25 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 2B Dan Uggla is 4-for-12 with two homers and three walks off Worley.

2. The Braves have hit 27 homers in 19 games at Turner Field.

3. Four Twins have made their major-league debut in the season’s first two months. LHP Caleb Thielbar was the latest to do so - and he struck out three in two scoreless innings.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Twins 1