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Braves begin final series of season against Astros

Sep 28, 2007 - 2:52 PM Atlanta (83-76) at Houston (71-88) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- After being officially being eliminated from the playoffs, the Atlanta Braves end the season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros starting Friday.

The Braves dropped a 6-4 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday to see their postseason hopes end, meaning they will miss the playoffs for the second straight year after making the previous 11. They will, however, finish with a winning record after going 79-83 last season.

To kick off their final series of the season, the Braves will turn to rookie Jo-Jo Reyes (1-2, 6.75 ERA), who will be looking for his second win in three starts. He did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in which he allowed four runs - three earned - and four hits over 5 1/3 innings.

In his only other career appearance against the Astros, the lefthander tossed three relief innings on August 2, surrendering five runs - four earned - but did not factor into a 12-11 loss.

The Astros will counter with rookie Matt Albers (4-10, 5.88), who will be aiming to end his four-game losing streak. His last start - a 7-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday - extended his winless September as he permitted two runs and 11 hits over six frames.

The righthander has only faced the Braves twice in his career, with both appearances coming in relief. He does not have a decision but has surrendered seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings.