Braves' opponent: Baltimore Orioles
Keep an eye on: Chris Davis. He enters the series on a nine-game hitting streak – batting 11-for-36 (.423) over that span with two doubles, three home runs (including a grand slam) and eight RBIs. He's hitting only .242 on the year and has drawn some speculation the Orioles might trade him before Friday's deadline. As it is, he's lifting up an offense that's averaged only 3.21 runs per game in July, second-worst in the American League.
Who's hot: J.J. Hardy is on a nine-game hitting streak too, batting 10-for-32 (.313) with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs.
Who's not: Curacao native Jonathan Schoop, the Orioles second baseman, is 3-for-19 (.158) in the past six games.
Atlanta connection: Georgia Tech product Matt Wieters was out of the Orioles' lineup Sunday with minor back stiffness but is expected back in for Monday night's opener against the Braves. Wieters is making his return from Tommy John surgery and has only been back in action since early June. He hasn't resumed full-time catching duties yet. Buck Showalter is DH'ing him some and he's also begun taking some groundballs at first base.
In the news: Utility player Steve Pearce went on the disabled list last week with a strained oblique muscle, opening a roster spot for Kevin Gausman, who is starting the series opener Monday against the Braves.
