Atlanta @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2012 ) Pittsburgh 9, Atlanta 3

The Atlanta Braves still have a shot at the Nationals League East title, but they’re more likely to host the NL wild-card game Friday. Before that, Atlanta will finish the regular season with a three-game series against the host Pittsburgh Pirates, who clinched their 20th consecutive losing season with a 4-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Braves begin the series three games behind NL East-leading Washington with three games to play, but they’ve already clinched the first wild-card spot.

The Braves, who have won seven of their last eight games and 19 of 26 overall, are coming off an emotional weekend that included Chipper Jones’ final regular-season home game. Jones might be rested Monday after playing a season-high six consecutive days. While Atlanta has won five straight series, the Pirates are once again wondering how things went south in the second half. The Pirates have gone 15-36 since their record stood at 62-46 on Aug. 6, with many of their young players fading down the stretch.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SS (Atlanta), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Paul Maholm (13-10, 3.71 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (0-3, 6.35)

Maholm had a 5.40 ERA in five September starts, including Wednesday when he tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Marlins. Clint Barmes is 14-for-32 (.438) lifetime against Maholm, who is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two starts against the Pirates this season. He’s 4-4 since joining Atlanta in a July 31 trade from the Cubs.

Locke is still seeking his first career win after giving up five runs over just 3 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Mets. He’s set to make his sixth straight start after posting a 7.50 ERA in his last five outings. Locke, who is making his first appearance against Atlanta, has a career ERA of 6.40 in 11 games (nine starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. With 31 home runs and 20 stolen bases, Andrew McCutchen is just the fourth player in team history to reach those totals in one season.

2. Braves LHP reliever Eric O'Flaherty will likely miss the Pittsburgh series with a sore back.

3. CF Michael Bourn returned to the Braves lineup Sunday after missing six games with a sprained left thumb and went 2-for-3 with an RBI.