The Atlanta Braves were left for dead at the All Star break. It looked like this team was getting ready to call it a season. While not out of the woods yet, the Braves have managed to win their way into a playoff chase. The Braves won’t be winning the NL East this season, which breaks a trend, but they do have a shot at the NL Wild Card. The Braves have been on a home winning streak and are now just four games back in the Wild Card chase. The Giants are also in the hunt—just three games out.

The Braves won the first two games of this series, 12-8 and 5-3 respectively. Tonight they are going for the sweep. The books have the Braves as a -200 favorite and the Giants as a +170 dog. Smoltz is taking the mound for the Braves. He’s been solid this season. His 12-6 record and 3.36 ERA have helped the Braves have a twinkling of hope this late in the season. He has been rock solid over his past five games—all the vital numbers are down. He’s averaging almost 8 strikeouts per game over the past five contests.

Morris takes the mound for the Giants. He’s 9-11 with a 4.47 ERA this season. He’s not pitching too well lately. While it has been slightly better than his overall season averages, the Giants have mustered just one win in his last five appearances. He’s also having issues with the homerun ball. Morris is going to have to outperform tonight and hold the Braves to a couple runs or less if the Giants are to have a realistic shot at winning.

One of these two teams is going to lose ground tonight. Smoltz is the right pitcher at the right time for the Braves. They will have a very good shot at winning tonight. For the Giants, it might be too little too late. They could wind up four back in the NL Wild Card race and more importantly, slip behind another team in the chase.