ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves, holding a 17-game lead in the NL East, will look to even their four-game series against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Truist Park. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m. under cloudy skies, with temperatures near 83 degrees.

Right-hander Michael King (6-7, 4.12 ERA) will start for the Padres, who enter play at 49-51. King has struggled with consistency this season, allowing four or more earned runs in four of his past seven starts. He faces a Braves lineup that leads the National League in home runs.

Atlanta counters with right-hander Bryce Elder, who is coming off a win in the series opener Monday. Elder (7-5, 3.88 ERA) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four in Atlanta’s 3-2 victory. That win improved the Braves to 58-41, the best record in the league.

Players to watch

Padres left-hander JP Sears, working out of the bullpen, has been effective against Atlanta this season. In two appearances against the Braves, Sears has allowed three earned runs over 10 2/3 innings. He threw five scoreless innings in a win against Atlanta on June 24, but took a loss Monday when he allowed one run over five innings.

Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, who homered in Monday’s win, is a key threat in the middle of the order. Atlanta has won four of its past five games overall.

Series context

The Braves won Monday’s opener 3-2 behind Elder’s strong outing and a solo home run from Albies. San Diego evened the series Tuesday with a 4-2 victory. The Padres have lost six of their past 10 games, while Atlanta has won seven of its past 10.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 victory for the Braves.

Upcoming schedules

The Padres travel to Miami for a three-game series starting Friday. The Braves host the Padres again Thursday before embarking on a six-game road trip to Baltimore and New York.