The Atlanta Braves open their first-round playoff series tonight. The team is in San Francisco to face the Giants in the opener of a best-of-5 divisional series battle.

Braves catcher Brian McCann sees this as an even matchup.

“We’re very similar teams. Pitching is obviously our strong suit, and so is theirs. Their bullpen’s great, and so is ours. It’s going to come down to who gets the timely hits, who plays better defense, and who takes the extra bases.”

Derek Lowe gets the starting pitching call for the Braves, opposite Tim Lincecum for the Giants.

It’s the Braves’ first appearance in the postseason in five years. And it represents the last for manager Bobby Cox, who’s retiring once the team finishes its run.

Tags: Atlanta Braves, baseball, Bobby Cox, playoffs, postseason, San Francisco Giants