San Francisco @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2019 ) San Francisco 1, Atlanta 8

The Atlanta Braves will spend the next week tuning up their roster for the playoffs now that the National League East title is secured, and expect more of the same as they close out a home series Sunday with the San Francisco Giants. Before Saturday’s 8-1 victory, manager Brian Snitker told reporters third baseman Josh Donaldson and perhaps second baseman Ozzie Albies will sit out the series finale - one day after several potential playoff roster candidates earned starts.

Infielder Adeiny Hechavarria, whose role takes on increased importance with Johan Camargo and Charlie Culberson sidelined by injuries, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and in 20 games since being signed by Atlanta is hitting .294 with two homers and 12 RBIs. Catcher Francisco Cervelli, who returned to action Thursday following hamstring and hand injuries, hit a two-run homer and scored twice, while outfielder Adam Duvall added a two-run homer - his ninth in 36 games with the Braves this season. The Giants have lost three in a row, scoring their first run of the series in the seventh inning Saturday on an RBI single by Cristhian Adames, who is 6-for-12 in his past three games. Versatile Austin Slater went 2-for-4 after entering Saturday with only six hits in his previous 46 at-bats, but the Giants have just 11 hits in the series while being outscored 14-1.

TV: 1:20 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Logan Webb (1-2, 6.51 ERA) vs. Braves LH Dallas Keuchel (8-6, 3.63)

Webb, the fifth-ranked Giants prospect by MLB Pipeline, makes his seventh career start after holding Boston to three runs on three hits with four walks over five innings Tuesday in a no-decision. The 22-year-old, who went 2-4 with a 1.85 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) across four levels of the San Francisco minor-league organization this season, allowed 11 earned runs on 15 hits over 7 1/3 innings across his previous two September starts - both losses. Webb made his major-league debut Aug. 17 at Arizona, surrendering two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings to earn the victory.

Keuchel looks to return to form as he tunes up for the postseason after giving up five runs on eight hits (including two homers) over five innings Tuesday against Philadelphia, taking his first loss since Aug. 8 and ending a six-start stretch of dominance. The 31-year-old had surrendered just four runs across 37 innings in those six outings, a 0.97 ERA with one homer allowed and 35 strikeouts. Keuchel is 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in nine home starts, and in 17 outings since signing with Atlanta in June has given up three earned runs or fewer 13 times.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna Jr. scored his NL-leading 127th run of the season Saturday, moving him within four of the modern-day franchise record (Dale Murphy, 131 in 1983).

2. Giants 3B Evan Longoria is one homer shy of 20 this season, which would give San Francisco three players with 20-plus homers (OF Kevin Pillar 21, OF Mike Yastrzemski 20) for the first time since 2006.

3. Saturday’s victory gave the Braves 96 wins on the season and 50 victories at home, the first time the franchise has reached those marks since 2013.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Giants 3