Pittsburgh @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 3, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 2, Atlanta 7

When naming the top left-handers in the National League, Jeff Locke and Mike Minor might not be the first hurlers people mention. But as Pittsburgh plays Tuesday at Atlanta, Locke and Minor will meet in a matchup of two southpaws who merit All-Star consideration. Locke is fifth in the NL in ERA, Minor ranks ninth, and both are big reasons why the Pirates and Braves have two of the Senior Circuit’s top four records.

Atlanta won the series opener Monday, giving the NL East leaders its 13th victory in its past 17 games. The Pirates sit in third in the NL Central, but have teamed with division leader St. Louis and Cincinnati to give the division three teams with plus-.600 winning percentages. Pittsburgh has not faced a left-handed starter since May 18.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (5-1, 2.25 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (7-2, 2.48).

Locke had just one major-league victory in 12 appearances coming into this season, but carries a 19 1/3-inning scoreless streak into Tuesday’s contest. The 25-year-old has allowed three hits or fewer in six of his past eight starts. Locke gave up seven hits in 5 1/3 innings Thursday against Detroit, but kept the high-powered Tigers off the scoreboard.

Minor has been as good as anybody in baseball since last season’s All-Star break, going 13-6 with a 2.31 ERA in 25 starts. His May was fantastic: a 4-0 record in six starts with a 1.98 ERA and 39 strikeouts against nine walks. Opponents are hitting .203 against Minor, scoring just 10 runs in 41 innings last month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Locke got a no-decision against Atlanta on April 18 in Pittsburgh, allowing four earned runs on six hits in a season-low 4 2/3 innings.

2. Atlanta has received stellar work from its bullpen, allowing just one run in its past 22 2/3 innings.

3. Pittsburgh has won six of its past nine road games.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Pirates 2