Detroit @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2010 ) Detroit 1, Atlanta 3

With the return of Jair Jurrjens on the horizon, Kris Medlen stated his case to remain in the Atlanta Braves’ rotation with another strong performance Friday.

That means Kenshin Kawakami could be the one headed to the bullpen if he can’t come through with a solid outing.

Kawakami takes the hill on Saturday and is seeking his first win of the season when the Braves continue a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers.

Atlanta posted an 8-14 mark when Jurrjens went on the disabled list with a hamstring injury on April 30.

Since then, the Braves have won 35 of their last 52 games and currently hold a half-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.

The 24-year-old Medlen, who started the season in the bullpen, has been a big part of that success. The right-hander is 4-0 with a 3.39 ERA in nine starts since taking over Jurrjens’ spot in the rotation.

On Friday, he helped the Braves snap a three-game skid by allowing just one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-1 win. The victory was highlighted by Billy Wagner’s 400th career save.

Wagner became the fifth pitcher in history to record 400 saves by striking out the side in the ninth.

Medlen’s outstanding performance put him in position to reach the milestone and may have helped sway manager Bobby Cox, who has a decision to make since Jurrjens is expected to return to the rotation on Wednesday.

On paper, there is really no debate. Kawakami’s body of work thus far suggests that he should be the one demoted to the bullpen.

The right-hander is the first pitcher in the franchise’s history to start a season by losing nine straight decisions.

Part of it has been lack of run support, but he has also been ineffective at times.

That was the case on Sunday when Kawakami failed to get out of the third inning of the Braves’ 8-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. He allowed four earned runs and six hits.

Kawakami hopes the Tigers’ road woes help him avoid heading back to the bullpen, where he finished the 2009 season. The 35-year-old is seeking his first win as either a starter or reliever since August 31 of last season.

Detroit, meanwhile, looks to avoid a sixth loss in seven road games behind Max Scherzer (4-6, 5.67 ERA).

The 25-year-old right-hander aims for a third straight win after allowing one run and four hits in seven innings of a 3-1 win over his former team - the Arizona Diamondbacks – on Sunday.

Scherzer is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five games against Atlanta.

The former first round pick has his work cut out for him against the Braves, who have won seven straight and 15 of their last 16 games at Turner Field. Atlanta’s .781 winning percentage at home is the best in baseball.