Atlanta @ Toronto preview

Last Meeting ( May 27, 2013 ) Atlanta 3, Toronto 9

There was a point in late April when no member of the Toronto Blue Jays' starting lineup was batting above .250. Those days are long gone as the Blue Jays bring a rejuvenated offense into the resumption of their home-and-home interleague series with the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday afternoon. Toronto's lineup now boasts four active regulars hitting over the .250 mark - including Edwin Encarnacion, whose five RBIs led the way in Monday's series-opening 9-3 triumph.

Toronto looks to sweep its home side of the series behind right-hander Brandon Morrow, who has yet to regain the form that made him one of the American League's most formidable pitchers a season ago. Morrow has surrendered five home runs over his previous two starts - and that trend may continue against one of the most power-happy clubs in baseball. Atlanta counters with left-hander Paul Maholm, who has given up just four home runs all season.

TV: 12:37 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Paul Maholm (6-4, 3.38 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (2-3, 5.50)

One of the stingiest pitchers in the majors over the first month of the season, Maholm has overcome his recent struggles with back-to-back solid starts. The 30-year-old surrendered just two earned runs over 13 1/3 innings in victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins. Maholm is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in two career starts against Toronto. He last faced the Blue Jays in 2011, surrendering two runs on nine hits over seven innings in a hard-luck loss.

Morrow hasn't been sharp since returning from a two-week absence caused by neck and back soreness. The hard-throwing righty has allowed 11 runs over his last 12 innings, and barely was good enough last time out (7 IP, 6 ER, 10 H) to record a win over Baltimore. Morrow has fared modestly well at home so far in 2013, going 2-1 with a 4.88 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 31 1/3 innings. Tuesday marks his first career meeting with the Braves.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto has a 16-15 edge in the head-to-head series since defeating Atlanta to win the 1992 World Series.

2. Blue Jays 1B Encarnacion knows Maholm well, having gone 13-for-36 with six RBIs against him.

3. The teams will resume their four-game interleague series Wednesday night in Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Blue Jays 4