Even a last-place team can play spoiler down the stretch, as the Boston Red Sox proved to the Toronto Blue Jays last week. But the Blue Jays still have an opportunity to build their lead in the AL East as they arrive in Atlanta for three games against the scuffling Braves.

Here’s a look ahead at the three-game series in Atlanta…

Tuesday, Sept. 15 – 7:10 p.m. ET

Mark Buehrle vs. Julio Teheran

Wednesday, Sept. 16 – 7:10 p.m. ET

David Price vs. TBA

Thursday, Sept. 17 – 1:10 p.m. ET

TBA vs. TBA

Different directions

Since acquiring Troy Tulowitzki on July 28 the Blue Jays are 32–10. It’s been a completely different story in Atlanta, as the Braves are 10–34 during that same period. The Braves have played some of their worst baseball of the year down the stretch, winning just two of their last 19 games.

The Blue Jays should win this series and while a sweep on the road is always a lot to ask, it’s not as far–fetched as usual.

Buehrle returns

Mark Buehrle will make his second start of the month in the series opener after returning to Toronto for a cortisone shot meant to reduce inflammation in his pitching shoulder. The 36-year-old left-hander pitched just 3.1 innings against the Red Sox last week and has acknowledged that he’s battling some “aches and pains.”

Even so, Buehrle is having a productive season, with a 3.72 ERA in 174.1 innings. If he can rebound against the Braves Tuesday that would be big for the Blue Jays.

Mismatch on offence

The series features the best offence in baseball against the worst offence in baseball. The Blue Jays have scored 790 runs, leading MLB by a wide margin. The Braves, on the other hand, have scored just 517 runs.

The Braves have hit just 88 home runs this year, far less than the Blue Jays’ total of 202. In fact, the Blue Jays’ top three power bats have combined to out–homer the entire Braves roster by a wide margin. Josh Donaldson (38), Jose Bautista (35) and Edwin Encarnacion (32) have already combined for 105 homers.

Thursday intrigue

The Blue Jays have a choice to make before Thursday: They can start Drew Hutchison, Marco Estrada or Marcus Stroman.

Starting Hutchison would keep him fresh against a weak–hitting lineup. The former shortstop could handle the bat a little while pushing other starters back for extra rest. Still, Hutchison’s 5.33 ERA reflects a season of struggles and the Blue Jays have alternatives.

Stroman’s also a former two–way player, but the Blue Jays may be hesitant to have him run the bases so soon after his recovery from a torn ACL. Instead, they could turn to Estrada, a fly ball pitcher who may fare better against Atlanta’s lineup than in Toronto against the Red Sox. He even has 18 career hits (.148 average) at the plate.

Starting Estrada would likely mean pushing Hutchison to the bullpen for now, but at this point the Blue Jays have five starters ahead of him on the depth chart. With the AL East at stake the Blue Jays need as much quality pitching as possible, and using a five-man rotation would mean more innings from the Blue Jays’ top pitchers.

Hutchison would still be around if a need arises later in the season, but in the meantime the Blue Jays would maximize the upside of their rotation while setting David Price up to pitch against the Yankees next week.

Eastern finish

After visiting the Braves the Blue Jays will finish the season against AL East opponents. They play every one of their division rivals down the stretch, including two series against the Tampa Bay Rays.