Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2011 ) Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 1

THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves will send their best pitcher to the mound in the season finale as they try to grab a piece of the National League wild-card spot against visiting Philadelphia, a team that’s beaten them six straight times. The Braves have lost four straight, eight of 11 and 17 of their last 26, and enter the last game of the season tied with St. Louis for the final playoff spot. The Cardinals play at Houston in its season finale. If Atlanta and St. Louis end up tied, a one-game playoff will be played Thursday in St. Louis at 8:07 p.m. ET.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.03 ERA) vs. Braves RH Tim Hudson (16-10, 3.23 ERA)

Blanton gets the start in the final game, but will likely empty the bullpen and spot numerous relievers an inning or two at a time. Even Cole Hamels is expected to pitch a couple of innings. Blanton is 0-1 against the Braves this season, but pitched well in that lone appearance, allowing two runs over five hits. Blanton is 1-4 with a 5.47 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Braves.

Hudson had great stuff in his last outing against the Washington Nationals when he suddenly began to cramp up because of dehydration, quickly lost his velocity and had to leave the game. He’s allowed only three runs over 13 2/3 innings of his last two starts, both wins. Hudson is 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this season. The Braves had hoped to be able to save Hudson to start the first game of the playoffs, but now need him simply to have a chance to reach the playoffs.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (101-60): Shane Victorino is batting .384 this season (20-for-52) against the Braves and is 14-for-28 in games at Turner Field. Jimmy Rollins has improved his average at Turner Field to .277 (10-for-36). Chase Utley now has 19 career homers against Atlanta. GM Ruben Amaro said OF Domonic Brown and relievers Joe Savery and Justin DeFratus would report to the Florida Instructional League to stay sharp in case they are needed for later in the postseason.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (89-71): Chipper Jones was in the lineup on Tuesday despite an ailing right knee. He had an MRI exam on Tuesday and it revealed a bone bruise. It will be interesting to see how Atlanta handles Derek Lowe, who has one year remaining on his contract. Lowe was 0-5 with an 8.75 ERA in five starts in September and has become the face of frustration for the fans. With an abundance of good young pitchers in the organization, the club will likely move Lowe, even if it means eating much of his salary. The Braves have forgotten how to hit, but their fielding hasn’t dropped off at all. The last Atlanta error by a non-pitcher was against the Mets on Sept. 8.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta reliever Peter Moylan said his shoulder surgery would require a six-month rehab. He will have arthroscopic surgery on Monday to repair his rotator cuff and labrum. He missed four months this season with back surgery.