Milwaukee @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2018 ) Milwaukee 1, Atlanta 10

The Atlanta Braves overcame a mid-July slump to win nine of their last 12 games entering Saturday’s home matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers, and a rejuvenated offense has them rolling as the wild National League playoff race intensifies. The Braves are tied with Philadelphia for the top spot in the NL East and moved percentage points ahead of former wild-card leader Milwaukee by smashing the Brewers 10-1 in the series opener, backed by four RBIs from Ender Inciarte.

Atlanta has scored 58 runs on 111 hits during its past 12 games, sparked by Inciarte’s .300 average and nine RBIs during that span and Nick Markakis, who doubled twice and scored three times Friday while raising his NL-leading average to .326. One of the most impressive parts of Atlanta’s performance Friday – which included Kevin Gausman giving up one run in eight innings in his second start with the team - was second baseman Ozzie Albies drawing three walks after not earning a base on balls since July 2. The Brewers have dropped six of nine games in August and allowed 72 runs in that stretch – giving up six or more runs five times – falling three games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. Third baseman Mike Moustakas finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in the series opener and is hitting .289 in 13 games since being traded from Kansas City.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers LH Wade Miley (2-1, 2.10 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (8-7, 4.48)
Injuries to his left groin and oblique have scuttled most of the first three months for Miley, but the veteran has been solid for the Brewers since returning to the rotation in mid-July. The 31-year-old has posted a 2.25 ERA in five starts since, limiting opponents to a .212 batting average in 28 innings. Miley drew a no-decision in his last start, giving up three runs on five hits in five innings Sunday against Colorado.
Teheran’s struggles through an inconsistent season have been underpinned by first-inning difficulties, as he owns an 8.18 ERA in the opening frame. The 27-year-old drew a no-decision Sunday against the New York Mets, rebounding from a shaky start to give up three runs on five hits with four walks in 5 2/3 innings – and helped himself with his first career home run. Teheran owns a 4.23 ERA in 11 home starts, striking out 59 in 61 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers OF Christian Yelich is 1-for-16 in his past four games with six strikeouts.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman is hitting .362 during his 12-game hitting streak, the third streak of 10-plus games he’s put together this season.

3. Milwaukee placed RHP Joakim Soria (right thigh sprain) on the disabled list before the game and recalled RHP Adrian Houser from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Brewers 4