NEW YORK METS (78-61, first place/NL East) at ATLANTA BRAVES (56-84, fourth place/NL East)
Thursday: RHP Bartolo Colon (13-11, 4.18) vs. RHP Shelby Miller (5-13, 2.81), 7:10 p.m. ET
Friday: LHP Steven Matz (2-0, 1.89) vs. TBA, 7:35 p.m. ET
Saturday: RHP Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.31) vs. RHP Williams Perez (5-6, 5.42), 7:10 p.m. ET
Sunday: LHP Jonathon Niese (8-10, 4.36) vs. RHP Ryan Weber (0-1, 3.00), 1:35 p.m. ET
BRAVES SHORT HOPS
The Braves have lost 20 of their last 23 games, although they just won the rubber game of a three-game series in Philadelphia. Before the victory on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, the Braves had a 7.22 ERA and had produced only 59 runs in a 22-game stretch. At one point, the Braves were 42-42 this season. They are 14-42 since that point. The Braves' current eight-game home losing streak is their longest since 1988 (nine games). Back then, they called Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium home.
All-Star Shelby Miller is 0-12 with a 3.46 ERA in his past 20 starts. It marks the longest streak of winless starts in the majors since Chris Volstad went 24 straight in 2011 with the Marlins and 2012 with the Cubs. Miller's winless streak is the longest ever for a pitcher who appeared in that year's All-Star game, easily surpassing a 13-start winless stretch by Nolan Ryan with the Houston Astros in 1983. Miller last earned a win on May 17, when he shut out Miami.
Manny Banuelos has been scratched from Friday's intended start against the Mets because of elbow discomfort. Struggling rookie right-hander Matt Wisler (5-6, 5.81 ERA) is most likely to step in.
Ryan Weber made his major league debut on Tuesday. He allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in six innings in a 5-0 loss at Philadelphia. Weber became the 59th player used by the Braves this season. The previous high had been 50 in 2007, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Weber became the 15th player, and 12th pitcher, to make his major league debut this season with Atlanta.
In a change-of-scenery trade involving large contracts, the Braves acquired Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher from the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 7 for Chris Johnson. Atlanta received roughly $15 million to help balance the deal financially. Hector Olivera has now taken over at third base minus Johnson. Olivera, a Cuban defector who received a $28 million signing bonus from the Los Angeles Dodgers, arrived in a three-team trade on July 30 that shipped out Alex Wood, Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson and infield prospect Jose Peraza.
The Braves, of course, traded Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson to the Mets on July 24 for minor league right-handers John Gant and Rob Whalen. They then dealt Eric Young Jr. to the Amazin's on Aug. 22 for cash. Young was playing for Triple-A Gwinnett at the time. The Braves also traded away Jonny Gomes to the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 31.
A.J. Pierzynski produced his 1,970th career hit on Sunday, passing Hall of Famer Bill Dickey (1,969) for 10th all time among catchers.
