Atlanta @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2011 ) Atlanta 2, San Diego 11

THE STORY: After opening their six-game homestand Friday with a rare offensive explosion, the San Diego Padres look to win their fourth straight when they face the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. The Padres received another strong outing from Tim Stauffer to win 11-2 in the series opener against the Braves, who fell five games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.

TV: 8:35 p.m. ET, SportSouth, Channel 4SD

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Jair Jurrjens (9-3, 2.11 ERA) at Padres RH Dustin Moseley (2-6, 3.02 ERA)

Jurrjens allowed one run on eight hits while striking out four over 5 1/3 innings last Sunday against the Rangers. The Braves are 17-8 in Jurrjens’ last 25 starts against teams from the National League West.

Moseley gave up three runs - one earned – on three hits over 6 1/3 innings against the Twins last Sunday. The Padres are 2-6 in Moseley’s last eight starts.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (43-34): After being waived by the Braves last Sunday, Joe Mather has decided he’d rather be a free agent than play for Triple-A Gwinnett. Mather hit .213 with one home run in 75 at-bats for Atlanta. Reliever Jairo Asencio’s roster spot could be in jeopardy after Friday’s rough outing when he gave up six runs – three earned – while recording just two outs. Pitchers Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino were named to the All-Star Futures Game on July 10 in Phoenix. Teheran is 7-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 12 starts for Gwinnett. Kris Medlen (elbow) threw 60 pitches on Wednesday and could return in mid-August. Tommy Hanson (shoulder) remains optimistic that he’ll be able to start Tuesday against the Mariners. Martin Prado (staph infection) is healing on schedule and should rejoin the Braves before the All-Star break. One probable All-Star is catcher Brian McCann, who is hitting .300 with 13 home runs. Since the start of the 2006 season, McCann leads all major league catchers in home runs (120), extra base hits (210), doubles (188), RBI (486), two-out RBI (209), and game-winning RBIs (66).

ABOUT THE PADRES (33-44): The trade winds are picking up around the Padres, with Heath Bell, Ryan Ludwick and Chad Qualls each expected to be moved in the next few weeks. Mike Adams would likely take over as the Padres’ closer if Bell is traded. If Ludwick is dealt, the Padres are expected to promote Kyle Blanks from Triple-A Tucson to start in left field. Promoting Blanks could create a domino effect in the Padres’ minor league system, with Jedd Gyorko moving up to play third base at Double-A San Antonio and James Darnell becoming an everyday left fielder for Tucson. With Gyorko considered the team’s long-term answer at third base, Darnell was moved from third to the outfield last week in San Antonio. Darnell, who is batting .346 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs in Double-A, will represent the Padres at the All-Star Futures Game. Jesus Guzman hit his first career home run Friday, but his at-bats figure to be limited with highly touted rookie Anthony Rizzo starting at first base.

FINAL PITCH: The Braves are 8-3 in their last 11 games against a righthanded starter.