Pittsburgh @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 1, Atlanta 2

THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves will send Pirate killer Derek Lowe to the mound Thursday in the finale of a four-game series with visiting Pittsburgh. Lowe is 10-0 against Pittsburgh. Based on the results from the three previous games of the series, fans should expect another pitcher’s duel. The widest margin of victory has been two runs and the last two games have been decided in extra innings, including 19 on Tuesday night. Atlanta has won the last two games after Pittsburgh won the series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Kevin Correia (11-8, 4.38 ERA) vs. Braves RH Derek Lowe (6-8, 4.49).

Correia has struggled in his last three starts, which have resulted in two losses and a no-decision. In his last 14 1/3 innings, he has allowed 12 runs on 15 hits, three of them home runs. Correia was touched for seven runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Cardinals in his last start. He has yet to face the Braves this season, but has a career record of 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA in eight appearances, including four starts. Lowe has allowed four runs in each of his last three starts, including a loss at Cincinnati in his most recent appearance. Lowe entered the sixth inning of that game with a one-hitter, but allowed five straight batters to reach and watched as the front end of the bullpen failed to keep it close. Lowe has made 10 previous starts against the Pirates and posted a 2.64 ERA. He has not faced Pittsburgh this season.

ABOUT THE PIRATES (53-49): Pittsburgh placed shortstop Chase d’Arnaud on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured little finger on his right hand and recalled reliever Chris Leroux from Triple A Indianapolis. Leroux was demoted to Indianapolis on Friday, but the Pirates were stressed for pitching help after Tuesday’s 19-inning marathon. Leroux lost Wednesday when he allowed his first run of the season. Neil Walker continues to hit Atlanta pitching - he is 5-for-15 in the series. Garrett Jones hit his 10th home run on Wednesday, his first since July 2. Andrew McCutchen is 1-for-11 in the series and is only 2-for-18 over his last five games.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (61-44): Atlanta had to make roster moves after placing catcher Brian McCann (oblique) and outfielder Jordan Schafer (broken finger) on the DL. They recalled outfielder Wilkin Ramirez and catcher J.C. Boscan from Triple A Gwinnett. It was a return visit for Ramirez, who hit .261 in 19 previous games. The veteran Boscan was batting only .194 for Gwinnett, but is considered a solid defensive catcher. Dan Uggla has his batting average above .200 for the first time since May 16. He is 6-for-17 in the series and has hit in 18 straight games. Freddie Freeman has hit in 11 straight and is 7-for-15 in the series.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta acquired Wil Nieves from Milwaukee from cash considerations to provide depth at catcher. Nieves began the season as the Brewers’ starting catcher because regular starter Jonathan Lucroy was on the DL. Nieves hit .109 for the Brewers before being sent to Triple A Nashville.