Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2013 ) Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 6

The Philadelphia Phillies host the Atlanta Braves on Sunday with a chance to do something for the first time since early June: sweep a series. The Phillies, who have beaten the National League East-leading Braves in the first two games of this weekend’s set, swept Miami on June 3-5 but have won just four series since the All-Star break. Cole Hamels takes the mound looking to win at home for just the third time in 16 starts this season.

Atlanta holds a 13-game lead over Washington in the East, and the Braves’ magic number to clinch their first division championship since 2005 sits at nine. Paul Maholm will look to overcome his struggles when he starts for the Braves, who have lost three in a row and four of their past six contests. Chris Johnson had two hits in Atlanta’s 6-5 loss Saturday and leads the NL in hitting at .332.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), PHL 17 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Paul Maholm (10-10, 4.41 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (6-13, 3.50)

Maholm snapped a five-start winless streak dating to June 30 on Monday, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings as the Braves bashed the Mets 13-5. He needs a strong September to make the Atlanta postseason roster, having gone 0-4 with a 7.30 ERA in between victories. The nine-year veteran, who has never pitched in the playoffs, is 1-1 in two starts against the Phillies this season.

Hamels has not lost since July 26, posting a 1.90 ERA while going 2-0 in his past seven starts. He beat the Braves with a six-hit complete game on Aug. 12 in Philadelphia, allowing one run while striking out nine. The 29-year-old gave up just one run on two hits in seven innings with eight strikeouts Monday against Washington, but settled for a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Injured Philadelphia CF Ben Revere (broken ankle) and 1B Ryan Howard (knee inflammation) are expected to play in instructional league games in Florida, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters.

2. Atlanta SS Andrelton Simmons is 8-for-19 with three homers and eight RBIs in six games this month.

3. Hamels is 13-8 lifetime against Atlanta, his second-highest victory total against any one team (Washington, 14).

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Braves 1