Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2013 ) Atlanta 4, Philadelphia 1

The Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of matching their longest road losing streak in 14 years and the prospect of ending the skid appears bleak with baseball's best - and hottest - team awaiting them. The white-hot Atlanta Braves continue a nine-game homestand on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Phillies, who were swept three games in Washington over the weekend to keep Charlie Manuel one victory from becoming the 59th manager to reach 1,000 wins.

While the Phillies have lost 17 of 20, Atlanta continues to steamroll the opposition, winning 15 of its last 16 to push its record to a major league-best 72-46. The Braves had ripped off 14 straight wins before losing to Miami on Saturday, but rebounded on Sunday to post their 38th come-from-behind win - tops in the majors. The Braves also own the best home record in baseball at 40-16 and lead the National League East by a whopping 14 1/2 games over Washington.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (4-11, 3.81 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-5, 2.96)

Hamels' five-start winless streak is indicative of his season, as he has permitted two runs or fewer four times in that span. He did not factor in the decision in his last two turns, giving up two runs over seven innings versus the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday and tossing eight scoreless innings against San Francisco in his previous start. Hamels lost his season debut in Atlanta, giving up five runs in five innings.

Teheran does not pitch deep into games but that's the only complaint the Braves could have with the 22-year-old standout. He has won back-to-back starts and is unbeaten in his last four outings, giving up three runs and 15 hits over 24 innings during that stretch. Teheran has permitted one run in each of his last two starts and has surrendered one earned run or less 10 times over his last 15 outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves LF Justin Upton, the team leader with 22 homers, left Sunday's game with a hamstring cramp but said he plans to be in the lineup Monday.

2. The Phillies, who last won on the road on July 19, haven't dropped 12 straight away from home since Aug. 28-Sept. 14, 1999.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 8-for-26 with two homers versus Hamels, who is 12-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 29 appearances (28 starts) against Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Phillies 2