Pittsburgh @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 21, 2013 ) Atlanta 2, Pittsburgh 4

The Atlanta Braves seek to extend the largest division lead in the majors when they host a three-game series against the flourishing Pittsburgh Pirates. Atlanta (34-22) has won 12 of its last 16 games and has a 6 1/2-game lead over the Washington Nationals in the National League East. Pittsburgh (35-22) has a better record than Atlanta but is tied for second in the NL Central, 2 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pirates rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Reds in 11 innings Sunday on Travis Snider’s game-winning walkoff single, which was overshadowed by Garrett Jones’ estimated 463-foot homer into the Allegheny River. Jones became the first Pittsburgh player to hit a ball into the river on the fly – Houston’s Daryle Ward (2002) is the only other player to do it in PNC Park’s 13-season history. Braves outfielder Justin Upton has just one RBI over the past 13 games and hasn’t homered since May 17.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (3-5, 2.72 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kris Medlen (1-6, 3.48)

Burnett is 0-3 over his last five starts despite a nifty 2.91 ERA in 34 innings. He routinely struggles against Atlanta with a career record of 5-11 and a 3.83 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts). Burnett is holding opposing hitters to a .199 average and has an impressive 1.09 WHIP.

Medlen lasted just two innings in his last start after being drilled in his left calf by a line drive off the bat of Toronto’s Emilio Bonifacio. He has gone nine outings without winning since he defeated the Miami Marlins on April 9. Medlen lost to Pittsburgh on April 21 when he gave up three runs in six innings and is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Pirates.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta INF Ramiro Pena has 10 hits in his last 22 at-bats and has hit two of his five career homers during the stretch.

2. Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-5 on Sunday after being 3-for-21 over the previous six games.

3. Braves OF B.J. Upton is batting .205 with two homers and 17 strikeouts in 44 career at-bats against Burnett.

PREDICTION: Pirates 3, Braves 2