However, as Jurrjens (12-3, 2.44 ERA) prepares to take the mound for the Braves in their Wednesday matchup in Atlanta against the Pirates, he's coming off a pair of middling outings that resulted in no-decisions for the righthander.

Jurrjens gave up four runs on four hits over six innings against the Reds last time out, and on July 17 vs. the Nationals he allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings of work. Atlanta, though, scored 15 runs over those two games and picked up two wins.

But should Jurrjens' performances be cause for concern? Probably not – the last time he had given up four earned runs or more in a game had been June 14 against the Mets, and he bounced back from that by rattling off four consecutive victories.

The Pirates will go with Paul Maholm (6-10, 3.26 ERA) on Wednesday, and his ERA jumped last time out with a loss to the Cardinals (five runs on 10 hits over six innings of work). Lefthander Maholm has given up three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last 10 trips to the mound, but Pittsburgh went just 5-5 over those 10 contests.

Maholm's middling results, though, haven't kept the Pirates from staying in the thick of things in the NL Central as the end of July approaches. Pittsburgh is at 18/1 on the NL Pennant odds at Bodog Sportsbook right now, and at 35/1 odds to win the World Series.

The Braves, who can't seem to make up any ground on the Phillies in the NL East, are still the league's top Wild Card contender and sit at 11/2 to win the pennant this season. Atlanta is also at 12/1 on the World Series odds board.

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