Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to battle Atlanta Braves

After narrowly avoiding a three-game sweep by the Cincinnati Reds, the Pirates go on a six-game road trip.

May 24, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett pitches in the 1st inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

First stop on the trip is Turner Field to take on the Atlanta Braves for a three-game series. The Buccos and Braves have faced off one prior time, at PNC Park, in which the Pirates took three of four games and outscored Atlanta 17-9.

The Pirates are coming off a late game victory against NL Central rival Reds, due to a Garrett Jones’ 463-foot river shot to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the eighth, and a Travis Snider walk-off single to send Russell Martin across home plate in the bottom of the 11th to win the game 5-4.

On Sunday the Braves beat NL East rival Washington Nationals 6-3, as Ramiro Pena and B.J. Upton both homered and Justin Upton scored two runs.

The projected starters for Monday are the Pirates’ A.J. Burnett (3-5) and the Braves’ Kris Medlen (1-6). Last time out versus the Tigers, Burnett allowed three runs off five hits in six innings in a no decision. Against the Blue Jays, Medlen allowed three runs off four hits in a short two-inning loss.