Arizona @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2012 ) Atlanta 4, Arizona 6

Jason Heyward is swinging one of the hottest bats in baseball, and Atlanta hopes the rest of its lineup catches fire as the Braves return home to open a 10-game homestand against Arizona on Tuesday. Heyward earned National League player of the week honors on Monday, but Atlanta has lost nine of its past 13 contests. Arizona brings a four-game winning streak into the series opener and has won five out of six. Arizona has scored 35 runs during the past four games.

The Diamondbacks’ only loss in their past six games came the last time Daniel Hudson pitched. Tuesday’s starter was rocked in a loss at Seattle last week. The Braves turn to Tim Hudson for the series opener. He beat the Yankees in his last start and hopes for another offensive explosion from Heyward. The Atlanta right-fielder hit .522 last week with 12 hits and three homers, but the Braves allowed 17 runs in two losses to Boston last weekend.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Arizona), Sports South (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Arizona RH Daniel Hudson (3-1, 6.60 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Tim Hudson (5-3, 3.88 ERA).

In a matchup of right-handers named Hudson, Arizona’s starter looks to rebound from allowing 10 hits and seven runs in four innings at Seattle last Tuesday. The Diamondbacks rallied and he took a no-decision. He’s allowed six earned runs or more in two of his past three starts.

Now that Brandon Beachy is gone for the year, Atlanta’s Hudson is the unquestioned ace of the Braves’ rotation. He beat the Yankees with five innings of four-hit pitching last Tuesday. He has won two of his past three starts, including a complete-game five-hit shutout June 5 at Miami.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Atlanta opens a 10-game homestand and plays 16 of its next 19 games at Turner Field.

2. Arizona prospect Trevor Bauer left his Triple-A start Sunday after just 2 2/3 innings, fueling speculation the third overall pick in last year’s draft could make his major-league debut against the Braves on Thursday.

3. Heyward is hitting .391 in June with five homers, after hitting just six homers in April and May combined.