Cincinnati @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2013 ) Cincinnati 2, Atlanta 5

The Atlanta Braves host the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday in the finale of a four-game series before the All-Star break. While the team’s starting pitchers have a combined 41 games of major-league experience, Julio Teheran of the Braves and Tony Cingrani of the Reds could play huge roles in whether their clubs reach the postseason. Teheran arguably has been Atlanta’s top pitcher over the past two months, while Cingrani has provided Cincinnati with another power arm that also can be used out of the bullpen.

Atlanta rallied for a 5-2 victory Saturday as the Braves tied Kansas City for the major-league lead in comeback victories (29) despite missing starting outfielders Justin Upton, B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward because of injuries. All three are expected to miss Sunday’s contest. The third-place Reds have dropped five of their past seven to fall five games behind St. Louis and Pittsburgh in the National League Central, while the Braves have won four of their past six to extend their lead on Washington in the NL East to seven games.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cincinnati LH Tony Cingrani (3-1, 3.30 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Julio Teheran (7-4, 3.09)

Cingrani has provided a nice boost to the Reds’ staff, posting a 3.08 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 52 2/2 innings as a starter. The 24-year-old spent the second half of June in the bullpen, but has made two starts in July, striking out 10 and allowing two runs on three hits in seven innings of a tough-luck loss to the Brewers on Tuesday. Cingrani averages 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Teheran is 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA in eight home starts, striking out 56 in 50 1/3 innings at Turner Field. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his past five starts, beating the Marlins on Tuesday despite allowing four runs and striking out only three (his lowest total since June 10). Teheran’s seven pickoffs lead the majors.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta recalled OF Jose Constanza from Triple-A Gwinnett and started him and rookie OF Joey Terdoslavich Saturday. The two combined to go 5-for-8.

2. Teheran has never faced the Reds, and Cingrani has never pitched against the Braves.

3. Cincinnati OF Shin-Soo Choo extended his hitting streak to 11 games Saturday after going 2-for-4.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Reds 1