Atlanta @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2011 ) San Diego 3, Atlanta 4

THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves have won four straight to solidify their position on top of the National League wild-card standings. They hope to keep it going on a six-game road trip to the west coast. The Braves will send veteran Derek Lowe to the mound Friday to start a three-game set at the San Diego Padres against Tim Stauffer. Atlanta has a +42 run differential, fourth behind the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies. The Padres have a -33 differential, even after two solid wins at Boston that ended a 3-6 road trip. San Diego is 18-18 on the road and 14-26 at home. The teams have split six games this season.

TV: 10:05 p.m. EST, SP-SO, Cox4.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tim Stauffer (2-5, 3.13 ERA) vs. Braves RH Derek Lowe (3-5, 4.10 ERA)

Stauffer allowed one run in seven innings his last start June 18 but lost at Minnesota. He has given up one or less runs in four of his last five starts, going 2-2, but has received the lowest run support of any qualifying pitcher in the majors (2.15). Stauffer is 2-1 against the Braves lifetime with a 3.86 ERA in 21 innings. Brian McCann has a home run and three RBIs in six career at bats against Stauffer.

Lowe gave up three earned runs in five innings his last start June 18 at Texas and did not get a decision. He has not won since May 6 and is 0-2 with six no decisions his last eight starts. Lowe is 5-3 against San Diego lifetime with a 2.76 ERA in 101 innings. Ryan Ludwick is 9-for-16 with four home runs and nine RBI against Lowe.

ABOUT THE PADRES: After losing the first game of the series, the Padres beat the red-hot Red Sox two straight to make the long plane ride home more pleasant. The Padres, averaging 3.38 runs per game, near the bottom of the majors, scored 15 runs in the three-game series. Chase Headley has been hot with the bat, going 12-for-27 with five RBIs the last six games, and Orlando Hudson is 7-for-15 with three RBIs and four runs scored the last four games since he returned from the disabled list. The Padres have to get Jason Bartlett going again. The shortstop is 2-for-17 the last five games.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (43-33): McCann has been the catalyst for the Braves much of the season but particularly of late.The Braves’ catcher is 8-for-20 with four homers and six RBIs the last six games to raise his average to .305. Two players the Braves would love to get going are Jason Heyward and Dan Uggla. Heyward is 7-for-28 his last eight games since returning from injury and Uggla is a modest 5-for-21 the last five games to raise his average to .177. The Braves recalled veteran shortstop Julio Lugo from the minors for the first time and he went 1-for-3 Wednesday.

FINAL PITCH: Tommy Hansen (8-4), who has missed his last two starts due to shoulder tendinitis, is expected back soon. If everything goes well with bullpen sessions Friday and possibly Sunday, he could start as soon as Tuesday.