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Brewers-Braves Preview

Jul 16, 2010 - 4:22 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Milwaukee (40-49) at Atlanta (52-36), 7:35 p.m. EDT

Superior pitching is a major reason the Atlanta Braves own the best record in the NL. The Milwaukee Brewers are quite familiar with it, too.

Tommy Hanson looks to turn in another stellar performance on the mound as the Braves try to extend their winning streak over the Brewers to six Friday night.

This is the first time since the end of 2003 the Braves (53-36) have had the best record in the league at this date or later. They're also building a comfortable lead atop the NL East.

Atlanta's pitching has contributed to its strong play of late. The staff has a 2.05 ERA during an 8-3 run that continued with a Thursday's 2-1 win over Milwaukee (40-50) in the opener of this four-game series. The Braves also improved to a major league-best 31-10 at home.

The Braves' staff owns a 2.00 ERA during a five-game winning streak against the Brewers.

"(Atlanta's) pitching is pretty good, both their starters and their bullpen," Brewers manager Ken Macha said.

Hanson (8-5, 4.13 ERA) dominated Milwaukee in winning 8-2 in his last start against them May 10. The right-hander threw eight scoreless innings while striking out eight and yielding four hits.

Hanson, who is 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA in three games against the Brewers, is entering this meeting in impressive form, going 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 12 1-3 innings over two starts.

Even if Hanson struggles, the Braves have one of the best bullpens in the league with a 3.16 ERA while holding opponents to a .224 average. That's a big reason Atlanta is 40-1 when leading after seven innings, tying Los Angeles and Florida for the NL's best record in that scenario.

The relievers are 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA in the last 11 games, and closer Billy Wagner has converted six of seven save chances behind a 1.13 ERA in eight appearances. He pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save Thursday.

The Brewers, who mustered six hits Thursday, have dropped three of four on the road while being outscored 14-2 in the defeats.

Corey Hart has been a bright spot on the road, hitting .367 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 11 games. The right fielder has 22 homers, tying him with Cincinnati's Joey Votto and Adam Dunn of Washington for the league lead and leaving him two off his 2007 career high.

Randy Wolf (6-8, 4.56) is scheduled to take the mound looking to beat the Braves for the first time since a win with Philadelphia at Turner Field on Sept. 9, 2003. The left-hander is 0-5 with a 7.04 ERA in 11 starts since, including an 0-3 record and 6.59 ERA in six outings at Atlanta.

Wolf will try to end that win drought by continuing his recent road success. He's 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in three away starts - all Brewers victories. However, his last two outings came at home, where he went 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA.