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Tigers-Braves Preview

Jun 25, 2010 - 4:26 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Detroit (38-32) at Atlanta (42-30), 7:35 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Braves didn't seem too overly concerned about getting swept. Opening an extended homestand likely gives them plenty of optimism.

The NL East-leading Braves look for their sixth straight home win Friday night when they open a three-game set against a Detroit Tigers team that hasn't won a series in an NL park in two years.

Despite getting swept by the surging Chicago White Sox, Atlanta (42-31) returns to Turner Field with a one-half game division lead over the New York Mets, who fell to Detroit (39-32) 6-5 on Thursday.

The Braves had won 19 of 25 prior to their three-game series in Chicago, but now face their longest skid since a season-long nine-game slide April 21-29.

"We got swept, but I don't think any of us are leaving here thinking we're a bad team," right-hander Derek Lowe said after pitching seven innings of five-hit ball in Thursday's 2-0 loss.

The Braves begin this nine-game stretch at Turner Field with the majors' best home record at 24-7, winning five of six against visiting AL teams.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are 2-5 on the road in interleague play this season, and they haven't won a series in an NL park since taking two of three versus San Diego from June 20-22, 2008.

Detroit swept the Braves at Turner Field from June 22-24, 2007, in the teams' last matchup, and have won five straight in this series.

Atlanta will look to snap that skid with Kris Medlen (4-1, 3.33 ERA) on the mound. Since being inserted into the rotation for the injured Jair Jurrjens (strained left hamstring), Medlen is 3-0 with a 3.67 ERA in eight starts.

The Braves have won each of his last five outings, including a 5-4 victory over Kansas City on Saturday when Medlen gave up four runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Medlen has never faced the Tigers, who will counter with Andy Oliver. The 22-year-old left-hander will make his major league debut in place of Rick Porcello, who was sent to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday. Drafted in the second round last season, Oliver went 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA for Double-A Erie and has struck out 70 and walked 25 in 77 1/3 innings.

"This kid, he's got good stuff," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski told MLB.com. "There are not many pitchers that have his quality of stuff. I mean, his fastball is way above average. He's got quality, and now he's been able to incorporate those other pitches."

Oliver will face an Atlanta club that is averaging 5.9 runs and batting .297 while winning 19 of 22 at home.

Second baseman Martin Prado could fare better at Turner Field after going 0 for 8 in the Braves' last two games. Prado is batting a major league-best .394 in home games this season.

Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordonez is hitting .396 with three homers and 12 RBIs against the NL this season.

Braves rookie right fielder Jason Heyward has not fared as well in interleague play, batting .184 while striking out 16 times in 12 games.