Atlanta @ Milwaukee preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2018 ) Atlanta 2, Milwaukee 7

Being opportunistic is a key reason why the Milwaukee Brewers are in first place in the National League Central, and why they look for a second consecutive home victory Friday over the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves in the second game of a four-game series of division frontrunners. Milwaukee trailed 2-0 three hitters into Thursday’s series opener but made the most of their seven hits in a 7-2 victory, giving the Brewers an NL-leading 52 victories on the season.

Third baseman Hernan Perez finished with three hits in the series opener – including a two-run homer in the eighth inning that extended the Brewers’ streak of games with at least one longball to 11 - helping Milwaukee win for the fourth consecutive game and sixth time in its past eight games. The Braves have stumbled after winning the first four games of a 10-game road trip, losing their third consecutive game Thursday and mustering just one hit after the third inning. Atlanta continues to get great production from second baseman Ozzie Albies, who leads the NL in extra-base hits with 49 in his first full big-league season after finishing with a triple and a double Thursday. Albies is hitting .420 in his past 15 games and continues to spark the Braves' offense. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is one Atlanta hitter who is struggling, however, going 0-for-3 Thursday to drop his average to .212 over his last 36 games since May 27.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (6-4, 2.02 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Freddy Peralta (3-1, 2.28)

Foltynewicz continues a breakthrough season that could result in an All-Star selection, entering Thursday second in the NL in ERA, hits per nine innings (5.966) and WAR for pitchers (2.8). The 26-year-old battled the heat for five innings but was "wildly effective" in the opinion of St. Louis hitter Kolten Wong, holding the Cardinals to one hit while striking out nine. Foltynewicz has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 15 of his 16 starts, and owns a 0.87 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 52 innings in his past nine starts.

Peralta has been called up twice from the minors so far this season, and if he keeps pitching this well, he likely will not return to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The 22-year old already has two double-digit strikeout performances in his first five major-league starts and three outings of zero earned runs allowed (covering 18 2/3 innings in those outings). Peralta suffered his first big-league loss Sunday at Cincinnati, giving up three runs on five hits across five innings but has posted an 0.87 WHIP while averaging 13 strikeouts per nine innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 3B Johan Camargo went 0-for-3 Thursday, ending his 10-game hitting streak.

2. The Brewers activated 2B Tyler Saladino (left ankle sprain) from the disabled list before the game and designated INF Eric Sogard for assignment.

3. Atlanta’s bullpen pitched four scoreless innings Thursday before RHP Dan Winkler gave up three runs in the eighth.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Brewers 2