Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2011 ) Atlanta 2, Philadelphia 3

THE STORY: Last month, Atlanta might have looked ahead to this final home series against Philadelphia as a chance to catch the Phillies in the NL East. Now the Braves are simply trying to hang on to the wild-card spot for the second straight year. Atlanta, loser of 10 of its last 15, enters the three-game series with a one-game lead over St. Louis and a magic number of three. The Phillies swept the Braves in three games in Philly earlier this month and lead the season series 9-6.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cliff Lee (16-8, 2.38) vs. Braves RH Randall Delgado (1-1, 2.70)

Lee is coming off his first loss since July 25, having given up three runs despite striking out nine against the Nationals last time out. That snapped a seven-game winning streak that included five starts in which he did not allow a run. Lee ranks second in the league in ERA and second in strikeouts (232). He’s 1-2 with a 3.29 ERA in four starts against the Braves this season.

The rookie Delgado is fresh off his first career victory, which saw him pitch five shutout innings against Florida. He allowed five hits and walked two in the 4-0 win. Delgado almost seems immune to pressure and has not given up more than three earned runs in any of his previous six starts. This will be his first appearance against the Phillies.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (99-60): Philadelphia ended its eight-game losing streak Sunday when the Phils played their regular lineup for the first time since clinching the NL East. Philadelphia had scored only 16 runs in the eight losses before the 9-4 win over New York. Philadelphia is still considering a place for Joe Blanton on the postseason roster. He’s had four appearances since being activated from the DL on Sept. 12. His fate may be determined by whether the teams will carry 10 or 11 pitchers for the first round.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (89-70): The Braves continue to get little production from the top of the order; their first four hitters were 0-for-16 with five strikeouts Sunday in a 3-0 loss to Washington. Alex Gonzalez, who had been one of the team’s hottest hitters, was out again due to a strained right calf. He remains day-to-day. Kris Medlen’s return from Tommy John surgery is complete; he pitched for the first time since August 2010 and threw a scoreless inning in the eighth.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens threw three innings in the Instructional League on Saturday and could be activated for the first round of the playoffs. He’s been out since August with a strained right knee.