On deck: Pirates

Pirates LHP Paul Maholm (4-2, 3.94 ERA) vs. Braves RHP Javier Vazquez (4-5, 3.54 ERA).

Maholm is 1-2 with a 5.00 ERA in his past six starts, after going 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in his first six.

Vazquez is 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA and .226 opponents' average in his past six starts, with 43 strikeouts and five walks in 372/3 innings.

What to watch for

Maholm has a 1.80 ERA in three starts against the Braves, though just a 1-1 record because of poor run support. His team scored four runs in the 20 innings he pitched in those three games.

David Ross is 6-for-18 with two homers against Maholm, and Matt Diaz is 3-for-9 with a homer.

Vazquez is 1-4 with a 4.19 ERA in six home starts, and the Braves have scored three runs or fewer while he's been in five of them.