Atlanta @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2018 ) Atlanta 6, Pittsburgh 1

There has been criticism levied at Dansby Swanson for his offensive struggles this season, but the Atlanta Braves shortstop is finding his rhythm with the bat at just the right time entering Wednesday’s series finale at the Pittsburgh Pirates. Swanson, who has stayed in the starting lineup thanks mostly to his defensive work, recorded the first multi-homer game of his career in Tuesday’s 6-1 victory and is hitting .360 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

Atlanta has rebounded from a four-game home sweep by Colorado to win the first two contests of a two-city, seven-game road trip and enters Wednesday winners of 16 of its past 24 games. First baseman Freddie Freeman leads the National League in hits (155) and batting average (.321) as the Braves continue to lead Philadelphia in the NL East. Pittsburgh had allowed only one run in each of its previous five games thanks in part to outstanding work from its bullpen, but Pirates relievers saw their stretch of 16 2/3 scoreless innings end Tuesday with three runs off Michael Feliz in the seventh. Left fielder Corey Dickerson is hitting .379 during his current seven-game hitting streak, but the Pirates have scored just 15 runs while losing seven of their past nine games.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Atlanta), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (8-7, 4.24 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Trevor Williams (10-9, 3.53)

Teheran finally has found consistency after alternating good starts and bad ones for most of the season, putting together a four-game stretch in which he has posted a 3.42 ERA with only three homers allowed in 23 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old is 1-0 in that stretch with three consecutive no-decisions, the latest Thursday against Colorado when he gave up two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings. Teheran is 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) against Pittsburgh.

Williams put together a solid first half of the season but has been outstanding in five starts since the All-Star break, going 3-2 with a 0.87 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. The 26-year-old is 1-2 so far in August despite giving up only three runs over 19 innings, allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts across seven innings Friday in a 1-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Williams has faced the Braves twice in his career (one start and one relief outing in 2017), surrendering three runs on seven hits in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves C Kurt Suzuki, riding an eight-game hitting streak, was hit with a pitch in the lower back in the ninth and had to leave the game.

2. Pittsburgh C Francisco Cervelli finished 1-for-3 with a double Tuesday and is hitting .390 lifetime against the Braves.

3. Atlanta LHP A.J. Minter, the team’s closer, did not pitch for the third consecutive game due to lower back tightness.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Pirates 2