Pittsburgh at Atlanta Preview

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves look to maintain their stronghold atop the NL East when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at Truist Park.

First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. with the forecast calling for 75 degrees and cloudy conditions.

The Braves enter with the best record in the National League at 42-20, while the Pirates are 33-29, four games back in the NL Central.

Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies has been a catalyst for the Braves’ offense. Over his past five games, Albies is 7-for-17 (.412) with a home run and five RBIs. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in Wednesday’s 7-3 win over Toronto.

Pittsburgh third baseman Nick Gonzales has also swung a hot bat. In his last four games, Gonzales is 7-for-14 with two homers and five RBIs. He was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs in the Pirates’ 11-9 loss at Houston on Wednesday.

The Braves have won five of their last six. Pittsburgh has split its last four contests.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-6 Pirates victory, but the ELO system gives Atlanta a 63.1 percent probability to win.

Friday marks the opener of a three-game weekend series, with games scheduled Saturday and Sunday as well.

The Braves lead the season series 1-0 after a 4-3 win on Tuesday. The teams also are scheduled to play a three-game set in Pittsburgh later this season.