CARDINALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES

At Turner Field, Atlanta

Scouting report: This will be the last time the Cardinals visit Atlanta in the regular season with manager Bobby Cox as their host. Cox is 123-101 all-time vs. the Cardinals, and he's 104-77 since 1990. ... With a loss Tuesday, Atlanta slipped out of first place in the National League East for the first time in 105 days. ... The Braves lead the NL with 49 wins at home and a 49-19 record. Atlanta's 3.54 team ERA ranks No. 3 in the league, and the home cooking is explained by a 3.02 home ERA. That too ranks third in the NL, behind the Cardinals' league-best 2.90. ... First baseman Derrek Lee, wooed off the Chicago Cubs roster at the end of July, had a .228 average with seven RBIs and no home runs in his first 17 games with the Braves. ... Closer Billy Wagner, 39, has said he'll retire at the end of the season, though with 32 saves, a 1.56 ERA and a 7-2 record, he could reconsider.

Projected pitching matchups:

Tonight, 6:10: Adam Wainwright (17-10, 2.34) vs. Jair Jurrjens (7-4, 4.10)

Friday, 6:35 p.m.: Chris Carpenter (15-5, 2.90) vs. Mike Minor (3-0, 5.33)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m.: Jake Westbrook (1-3, 3.89) vs. Tommy Hanson (9-11, 3.58)

Sunday, 7:05 p.m.: Kyle Lohse (2-7, 7.13) vs. Tim Hudson (15-7, 2.41)

Derrick Goold