Milwaukee @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 22, 2014 ) Milwaukee 4, Atlanta 5

Brandon Cunniff has put together an impressive streak to start his major-league career, and the Atlanta Braves may be tempted to use the rookie right-hander more out of their bullpen. Cunniff, whose Braves open a four-game home series Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, has not allowed a hit in 28 at-bats against right-handed batters to start his career.

Cunniff earned the victory in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay, marking Atlanta’s fourth win in the past five games to lift the Braves within one game of .500. The Brewers could not complete their first sweep of the season in losing 5-2 Wednesday at Detroit, but Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun continued his hot streak. Braun hit his fourth homer in the past six games and is batting .350 on the Brewers’ current 10-game road trip. Milwaukee is 10-9 in May after losing 17 of 22 games in April.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (2-5, 5.72 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (3-1, 4.33)

Garza endured the worst start of his career Saturday against the Mets, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. That snapped a streak of four consecutive quality starts for Garza, who had surrendered nine runs on 19 hits in his previous 25 2/3 innings. Garza really has struggled away from home, posting a 7.48 ERA and 1.892 WHIP in four road outings with as many walks (13) as strikeouts.

Teheran continues trying to find his dominant form of a year ago, having allowed eight runs (seven earned) and 19 hits across 10 2/3 innings in his past two starts. He has surrendered nine homers in 43 2/3 innings; Teheran gave up 22 longballs in 221 innings in 2014. Teheran gave up two runs (one earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings against Miami on Friday, striking out five with one walk.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Carlos Gomez has hit safely in 19 of 23 games this season.

2. Cunniff is five outs from tying the record for longest streak of holding right-handers hitless to start a career (33), set by Kansas City’s Bob McClure in 1975.

3. Milwaukee is 8-8 since Craig Counsell took over as manager May 4.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Brewers 4