Atlanta at New York 4:05 p.m. ET

Kris Medlen looks to win his sixth straight outing as visiting Atlanta seeks a fourth consecutive shutout Saturday against the New York Mets. 

NL wild card-leading Atlanta (79-60), which got solo homers from Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla, is hitting .205 during its winning streak but hasn't needed much offense with the pitching staff tossing three consecutive shutouts for the first time since Sept. 4-7, 2002. 

The Braves have never pitched four straight shutouts in their history, but they seemingly have a solid chance to accomplish the feat with Medlen taking the mound. 

Medlen (7-1, 1.56 ERA) won his fifth straight outing Monday, allowing an unearned run and five hits while striking out a career-high 12 in a complete-game, 6-1 victory over the Rockies. 

The right-hander is 6-0 with a 0.54 ERA while striking out 50 and walking five since entering the starting rotation July 31. He hasn't allowed an earned run since giving up one in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-3 win over the Mets on Aug. 11, though his scoreless innings streak came to an end at 34 2-3 on Monday - the Braves' longest since Greg Maddux in 2000. 

The Braves have won Medlen's last 18 starts dating to 2010 - prior to him undergoing Tommy John surgery - marking the longest such streak since the Yankees won 21 consecutive games Roger Clemens started in 2001. 

New York looks to bounce back with help from Jeremy Hefner, who has pitched well in his last two outings but doesn't have a win to show for it. 

Hefner (2-5, 4.52) gave up one run in eight innings of a 2-1 win over Houston on Aug. 26 before allowing two runs in six innings of a 5-3 victory over Miami last Saturday. 

The rookie right-hander is 2-4 with a 4.64 ERA in nine starts. 

Hefner pitched 3 2-3 innings of relief against the Braves in Medlen's win last month, giving up a solo homer to Freddie Freeman. 

Braves are 5-0 in Medlens last 5 starts as a road favorite.

Braves are 7-0 in Medlens last 7 starts with 4 days of rest.

Braves are 20-1 in Medlens last 21 starts.

Braves are 10-1 in Medlens last 11 road starts.


Mets are 1-4 in their last 5 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Mets are 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Mets are 1-8 in their last 9 games as a home underdog.
Mets are 1-8 in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Mets are 4-1 in Hefners last 5 starts.

Braves are 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.

I'm all over Medlen today. How can you not be. This guy is no doubt one of the best there is right now. The Mets offense is nowhere near good enough to make him stumble today. They can't even seem to score as of late anyway. I truly believe Hefner gives up several runs today, possibly early. Take the Braves for the 1H and the game. Good Luck (Matchbook has the best ML that i've found)

1H ATL BRAVES -½-120
ATL BRAVES -158

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