Cleveland @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 29, 2008 ) Cleveland 4, Atlanta 5

The Atlanta Braves return home to open a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, and if the Atlanta leads entering the ninth, the Braves have plenty of reason to feel confident. Closer Craig Kimbrel became the first pitcher in major-league history to record 40 or more saves in each of his first three big-league seasons when he notched No. 40 on Wednesday in New York, and his four-out save Sunday in St. Louis ended a three-game losing streak for the NL East leaders. Cleveland won two of three games from Minnesota this weekend, has won nine of its past 13 and trails Oakland by 1 1/2 games for the final AL wild-card spot.

Two rookie hurlers meet in the series opener: Cleveland right-hander Danny Salazar has struck out 29 hitters in his first four major-league starts, while Atlanta left-hander Alex Wood has posted a 1.11 ERA in August. Cleveland’s Ryan Raburn has missed 13 of the Indians’ past 16 games with pain in his legs, and is hoping to avoid going on the disabled list. Second baseman Jason Kipnis snapped a 0-for-19 skid with a single Saturday, and has three hits in his past seven at-bats.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (1-1, 3.52 ERA) vs. Braves LH Alex Wood (2-2, 2.50)

Salazar has not won since beating Toronto in his major-league debut July 11, but has allowed only 13 hits in 17 innings in his past three outings. The 23-year-old gave up one earned run on three hits with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Angels, getting a no-decision. He has walked seven hitters in 23 innings, holding opponents to a .183 batting average.

Wood has helped lesson the blow left by injuries to starters Tim Hudson and Brandon Beachy. He is 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA since the All-Star break, striking out 35 in 35 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old, who made 15 relief appearances before joining the rotation full time after Hudson’s injury, has not received a decision in his past three starts despite posting a 0.98 ERA with 20 strikeouts and three walks in 18 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 3B Chris Johnson, second in the NL in hitting at .331 - one point behind St. Louis' Yadier Molina, did not play Sunday because of turf toe.

2. Atlanta 2B Dan Uggla, who underwent LASIK surgery Aug. 16, is scheduled to come off the disabled list Wednesday.

3. Cleveland CF Michael Bourn, who signed with the Indians after playing with Atlanta last season, has been caught stealing an AL-leading 10 times and has 19 stolen bases.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Indians 3