San Francisco @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 14, 2013 ) San Francisco 6, Atlanta 0

The San Francisco Giants haven't won three straight in over a month, but they'll try to change that when they continue their three-game road series against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. The Giants have won back-to-back games after a 6-0 victory in the opener, as Madison Bumgarner and Sandy Rosario combined on a three-hitter for San Francisco's fourth straight win against Atlanta.

The Braves are looking to avoid a season-high fifth straight loss, and their potent offense has sputtered lately. Atlanta has scored three or fewer runs in six of its past eight games, including three straight. The Giants have had difficulty harnessing any momentum thanks to a rash of injuries, as Pablo Sandoval (foot), Angel Pagan (hamstring) and Marco Scutaro (hand) all have been sidelined.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), Fox Sports South (Atlanta), MLB Network

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chad Gaudin (2-1, 2.32 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (8-2, 2.44)

Gaudin bounced between the bullpen and the rotation early in his career but had not made a start since 2009 before stepping up with back-to-back quality starts this month. He has allowed two runs over six innings in each of his starts to stabilize a struggling rotation. Gaudin is 0-1 with a 7.78 ERA in 13 appearances against the Braves but has pitched three scoreless innings in two relief stints against them this year.

Minor has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last seven outings and has recorded eight straight quality starts. He has not lost since April 28 at Detroit and the Braves have won the last seven games he has started. Minor is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three starts against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta OFs B.J. Upton (2-for-17, 8 strikeouts) and Justin Upton (1-for-11, 4 strikeouts) have struggled against Gaudin.

2. Giants C Buster Posey has hit safely in 12 straight games against the Braves. Posey is 3-for-6 with a double against Minor.

3. The Braves are 36-9 in games in which they hit a home run and 3-19 in contests in which they do not.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Giants 2