Bodog Beat

Do you have your money on the Pirates? (AP Images)

Just five days after the Pirates' surprising decision to trade All-Star outfielder Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh will visit Turner Field tonight to open a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.

McLouth is 2-for-10 in his first three games with the Braves, but his second hit in his new uniform was a big one. He hit a tying double in the eighth inning Sunday against Milwaukee and scored on Yunel Escobar's single in Atlanta's 8-7 victory.

Zach Duke will be on the mound tonight for Pittsburgh, who is listed as a +125 underdog.

Duke, 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in six starts against Atlanta, had his worst outing versus the Braves on April 19. He gave up six runs and 12 hits over six innings in an 11-1 loss in Pittsburgh.

Lately, however, Duke has been outstanding. The lefthander is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last five starts.