New York @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2012 ) Atlanta 3, NY Mets 2

Opposing teams have honored retiring Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones throughout the season. On Friday, the Braves will take their turn to pay homage to their future Hall of Famer in a pregame ceremony at Turner Field. Atlanta rides a five-game winning streak into the opener of its final home series of the regular season against the New York Mets. New York comes in playing some of its best baseball of the second half, winning six of its past seven.

The Mets have scored six runs in each of their past four games. Third baseman David Wright is hitting .421 (8-for-19) in his past five games with three homers and nine RBIs, raising his season average to .307. Wright’s counterpart at third base has shined in his final season. Jones comes in hitting .292 on the season, with a .320 average at home. Tim Hudson goes for his 17th victory for Atlanta, while Jon Niese looks to continue his good work against the Braves this season.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), Peachtree TV (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jon Niese (12-9, 3.49 ERA) vs. Braves RH Tim Hudson (16-6, 3.61).

Niese has pitched well against the Braves this season, going 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts. That one loss came on Sept. 7, when Niese allowed only one run on five hits in six innings. He has won his past two starts since that defeat, downing Milwaukee and Miami with 12 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.

Despite missing the first four weeks of the season after back surgery, Hudson is tied for fifth in the NL in victories. In his past 15 starts, the 37-year-old is 10-2 with a 3.39 ERA. Hudson has made one start against the Mets this season, allowing four runs on eight hits in four innings in a no-decision July 13.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta CF Michael Bourn missed his fourth consecutive game Thursday with a sprained left thumb. The Braves expect Bourn to return to the lineup Friday.

2. Niese has held Jones to a .200 average in 20 career at-bats, with one homer and four RBIs.

3. Atlanta leads the season series 10-5 despite losing the first three games of the season to the Mets.