Pirates at Braves
After giving the rest of the NL East a four-game head start, Atlanta has reached the top of the division. The Braves opened the season with four consecutive losses, their worst start since 1988, but Atlanta has won 14 of its past 18 to move into a tie for first with the Nationals. The Braves go for their sixth consecutive series victory in the finale of the four-game set at Turner Field. The Pirates still have not scored more than five runs in a game, and have six losses by one or two runs.
Pittsburgh sits 4½ games behind St. Louis in the NL Central, and has pitched as well as anybody. Opponents are hitting just .229 against the Pirates, and the team ERA of 2.77 is third-best in the majors. But offensive production continues to be a problem. There are few problems for the Braves, who at 14-8 are tied for the third-best record in baseball behind Los Angeles and Texas.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Pittsburgh), Sports South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pittsburgh RH James McDonald (0-1, 2.78 ERA) vs. Atlanta LH Mike Minor (2-1, 3.42 ERA)
Like most of Pittsburgh’s rotation, McDonald’s record is no fault of his own. The right-hander gave up one hit and struck out eight in seven stellar innings against Colorado in his last start, only to be saddled with a no-decision. McDonald has allowed four hits, two earned runs and struck out 10 in his past two starts.
The 24-year-old Minor continues to pitch like a veteran ace for the surging Braves. Minor gave up eight hits and three runs against the Dodgers in his last outing, getting a no-decision. Opponents are hitting .233 against Minor, who has a WHIP of 0.99 through four games and has walked just five hitters in 26 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta center fielder Michael Bourn is hitting .450 in his past nine games, with six runs, six walks and three RBIs. Bourn has raised his average from .217 to .326.
2. Pittsburgh pitchers struck out 22 Braves in the first two games of the series. Atlanta struck out just six times in Sunday’s victory.
3. Atlanta catcher Brian McCann, who missed Saturday’s game with a pulled ribcage muscle, returned to the lineup Sunday.