Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 8, 2011 ) Atlanta 2, Philadelphia 3

THE STORY: The Philadelphia Phillies will look for more breathing room in the National League East when they host the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a three-game series Saturday. The Phillies survived to win the first game in a 10-inning showdown, which increased their lead to 3½ games and ensured them of having the division lead at the All-Star break. The season series is 5-5 among the top clubs in the NL and the last four meetings have been decided by a total of five runs.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tommy Hanson (10-4, 2.52 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.92).

Hanson was passed over for the All-Star team, even though he ranks No. 4 in the NL in wins and No. 5 in ERA. He has won his last five starts, during which time he has posted a 1.98 ERA and struck out 38 in 32 innings. He threw seven innings and allowed one hit in his last start against Colorado. Hanson hasn’t pitched against the Phillies this year, but is 1-2 with a 2.45 ERA in six career starts. He is 0-1 with a 1.13 ERA at Citizens Bank Park. Lee was uncharacteristically torched in his last start, allowing seven runs and three homers in 7 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays. He had a 34-inning shutout streak end and had allowed only one run in his previous five starts, a stretch of 42 innings. Lee is 7-1 with a 1.66 ERA at home this season. He was beaten 5-0 by the Braves on May 6, although he allowed only three runs and struck out 16 in seven innings. Lee has a 1-3 career record with a 6.15 ERA against Atlanta.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (53-37): Third baseman Chipper Jones said he expects to have surgery on the meniscus tear in his right knee, which would keep him out of the lineup 3-to-4 weeks. But Jones, who has had two cortisone shots, is postponing the operation until Martin Prado returns from a minor league rehab stint. Jones has hit in seven straight games and is batting .259. Alex Gonzalez continues to struggle at the plate - he is 2-for-19 over the last six games with seven strikeouts. Dan Uggla improved his hitting streak to four games and is 6-for-13 through that stretch, raising his average to .184, the highest it’s been since May 22.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (56-33): Shane Victorino, normally a pest against the Braves, was placed on the disabled list with a sprained thumb. That opened the door for John Mayberry Jr., a .313 lifetime hitter against Atlanta, to start in center field. Chase Utley has hit in 11 straight games. Carlos Ruiz has 34 career homers and seven have come against Atlanta. Jimmy Rolins had a streak of 14 consecutive stolen bases end Friday when he was cut down in the ninth by Brian McCann following a pitchout. Philadelphia’s bullpen was overpowering against Atlanta on Friday as Michael Stutes, Antonio Bastado and Juan Perez did not allow a runner in three innings and struck out five of nine batters. Bastardo has allowed only one hit against the last 39 batters faced.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta pitcher Kris Medlen has been forced to put his comeback from elbow reconstruction surgery on hold. He had been throwing in Orlando with a physical therapist, but had an unspecified setback and will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Medlen had his original surgery 11 months ago.