The set-up: The 52-83 Atlanta Braves still own the worst record in the National League but have won five of their last six games, scoring seven or more runs in each of their last four contests. The presence of Matt Kemp in the middle of the lineup has provided a big boost. Kemp made his Atlanta debut back on August 2 and the Braves are averaging 5.2 runs and 9.4 hits while hitting .272 as a team. That's after batting .242 through the end of July. The Phillies are 60-74 overall but 25-29 since July 1, although they have now lost four in a row, as well as losing 11 of their last 15.

The pitching matchup: John Gant (1-3, 4.59 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta and Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.21 ERA) for the Phillies. Gant makes the fifth start (14th appearance) of his rookie season, following two relief efforts after missing two months with a left oblique strain suffered back on June 27. Gant owned a 3.38 ERA in four starts before the injury (he was 1-2 and the team 1-3). Philly's Velasquez won eight of his first 10 decisions but has struggled in his past eight starts, going 0-4 with a 5.76 ERA and a .292 opponents' batting average (team is 1-7).

The pick: The Braves are playing the better baseball right now but I have little faith in Gant. As for Velasquez, his most recent outing was a 5-1 Phillies win in LA vs. the Dodgers, when he took a no-decision but allowed one ER in five innings with seven Ks and one walk. My "gut' says the Phillies are an 8* play..