Pitching Probables:
RHP AJ Burnett (PIT) 3-5, 2.72 ERA
RHP Kris Medlen (ATL) 1-6, 3.48 ERA
Tonight's Starting Lineups (7:10 pm ET, SportSouth):
Pirates (career vs. Medlen):
Starling Marte - CF (0-2)
Neil Walker - 2B (3-6, 2B, BB, K)
Garrett Jones - RF (0-9, BB, K)
Gaby Sanchez - 1B (2-8, 2B, RBI, K)
Travis Snider - LF (1-2, 2B, BB, K)
Russell Martin - C (2-10, 2B, RBI, 3 K)
Pedro Alvarez - 3B (1-3, BB, K)
Clint Barmes - SS (3-7, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB)
AJ Burnett - P (N/A)
Braves (career vs. Burnett):
Andrelton Simmons - SS (1-2)
Jason Heyward - RF (2-5, BB)
Justin Upton - LF (2-2, HR, RBI, BB)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (1-6, 2 K)
Brian McCann - C (5-16, BB, 2 K)
Chris Johnson - 3B (2-5, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K)
Dan Uggla - 2B (2-8, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 4 K)
BJ Upton - CF (9-44, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 BB, 17 K)
Kris Medlen - P (N/A)
Preview:
Record-wise, the Pirates have a half-game advantage over the Braves in the standings. As the two clubs open up a three-game series at Turner Field tonight, the NL East-leading Braves (34-22) hold the largest division lead of any team in the Majors, while the Pirates (35-22) find themselves tied with the Reds for second place in the NL Central, two games behind the division-leading Cardinals.
Both teams have played exceptionally well as of late, with the Braves not having lost a series in their last five. Pirates have won seven out of their last eight series with the lone series loss coming this past weekend to the Reds.
Braves will look to further pad their 6 1/2 lead in the East when they send Kris Medlen out to the mound for the series opener. Medlen left after two innings in his previous start after taking a line drive off his left calf. In those two innings, Medlen surrendered three runs on four hits, walked a batter, and struck out just one. Medlen has pitched relatively well this season, giving up three runs or less in ten of eleven starts, but has not won a game since April 9th due to the lack of run support.
The Pirates will counter with veteran AJ Burnett, who will be seeking his first win since May 3rd. Despite pitching consistently this season, Burnett has not been credited with a win in the past month. Burnett has turned in a quality start in the five starts since his last win. Burnett allowed three runs on five hits, walked four, and struck out four in his last start against the Tigers, a no decision.
Burnett looks to eat innings up to save bullpen:
Burnett has pitched into the 7th inning in five of his last six starts and looks to do the same tonight with a depleted Pirates bullpen. Pirates bullpen logged ten innings in yesterday's game against the Reds. Starter Jeanmar Gomez left after just one inning with tightness in his right forearm. Pirates used five relievers over the last ten innings of the ballgame in their eventual win in the 11th inning.
Gattis seeing regular playing time:
With Brian McCann back in the lineup for the Braves, Gattis has still seen regular playing time, albeit primarily in the outfield. Gattis has started eight of the last 11 games since being out of the lineup in six straight games from May 15-21. In those six games in which he was not in the starting lineup, Gattis went 5-for-7 in pinch hit situations with 3 home runs.
Side note:
Braves CF BJ Upton, who delivered the walk-off single on Saturday against the Nationals, followed up with a home run in Sunday's game against Washington. Upton is 9-for-44 (.205) all-time against Burnett with 17 strikeouts, his most against any pitcher.
AJ Burnett is 5-11 with a 3.83 ERA in 20 appearances (19 starts) against the Braves in his career. Turner Field has not been kind to Burnett, going 1-8 with a 4.88 ERA in 12 starts.
Kris Medlen is 2-1 with a 3.04 ERA in 5 appearances (3 starts) against the Pirates in his career.
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