Toronto @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 29, 2013 ) Toronto 3, Atlanta 0

Few teams gave R.A. Dickey problems during his Cy Young Award-winning 2012 campaign - but the Atlanta Braves were at the top of the short list. Dickey looks to improve a spotty career record against the Braves as he leads the visiting Toronto Blue Jays into the finale of a four-game home-and-home series Thursday. Toronto claimed a 2-1 lead in the 1992 World Series rematch with a 3-0 victory Wednesday behind solid pitching from Esmil Rogers and three relievers.

Atlanta's hopes for a split rest on the shoulders of ace left-hander Mike Minor, who has put together one of the best months of any hurler in the National League. The Braves could use some good news on the pitching front after losing starter Kris Medlen to a left calf contusion early in Wednesday's loss. That result gave Toronto a 17-16 edge in the head-to-head series since 1992, when it defeated Atlanta in six games to capture its first World Series title in franchise history.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), Fox Sports South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (4-6, 4.85 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (6-2, 2.47)

One day after a relatively inexperienced relief corps cobbled together nine sensational innings, the Blue Jays would love to see Dickey pitch deep into the series finale. The knuckleballer has struggled for most of the season but has managed to give the bullpen a break, lasting six innings in all but one of his starts. That may be put to the test against Atlanta; Dickey is 2-5 with a 5.15 ERA in 64 2/3 career innings versus the Braves, and posted an 8.80 ERA against them in 2012.

As good as Minor was in April (3-2, 3.13 ERA), he has been even better in May. The 25-year-old is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA while recording five straight quality starts this month. Opposing lineups are hitting a paltry .178 against Minor in May, and he has surrendered only two home runs over his last four starts. Minor is coming off 7 1/3 innings of three-hit ball in a 6-0 victory over the New York Mets. He limited Toronto to one run over seven innings to earn the win in their only meeting in 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. INF Emilio Bonifacio has the most experience against Minor of any Toronto player, batting 6-for-16 with a homer.

2. Atlanta OF Freddie Freeman is 9-for-18 with four doubles and a homer against Dickey, while 2B Dan Uggla is 1-for-26.

3. Toronto continues its seven-game road trip with a three-game set in San Diego, while the Braves begin a weekend series at home against Washington.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Blue Jays 3