Baltimore @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2012 ) Baltimore 5, Atlanta 0

The surging Baltimore Orioles have won six of seven entering Sunday’s rubber game in Atlanta. The Braves, meanwhile, have dropped five of six following Saturday’s 5-0 loss in which Atlanta mustered one hit against Jason Hammel.

The Braves are in the middle of a 15-game stretch against AL East opponents. They’re 3-5, with road trips to Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park looming. Atlanta hopes to get third baseman Chipper Jones back in the lineup Sunday. He sat out Saturday due to a buildup of fluid in his left knee. A win Sunday would give the Braves their fifth consecutive home series win over Baltimore.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSS, MASN 2, WJZ

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (6-2, 3.68 ERA) vs. Braves RH Randall Delgado (4-6, 4.34 ERA)

Chen had a great first month but has cooled off, allowing at least four earned runs in two of his last three starts. He’s allowed six homers in his last six starts. Batters are hitting .256 against him.

Delgado was wild in his last start against the Yankees, walking six over five innings in a 3-0 loss. He’s walked 36 in 66 1/3 innings. In his last five starts, Delgado has made it out of the sixth inning just once. But he’s holding batters to a .239 average.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Orioles leadoff hitter and second baseman Brian Roberts will get a scheduled day off Sunday, with Robert Andino expected to start in his place. Roberts went 2-for-4 with three RBIs on Saturday.

2. Baltimore’s Chris Davis, normally a first baseman or DH, has started two straight games in right field.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman missed his third straight start due to swelling in his left index finger, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play Sunday.