San Francisco @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 11, 2010 ) Atlanta 3, San Francisco 6

Tim Lincecum's new delivery passed its first test.

The second one could be a doozy.

The new-and-improved Lincecum takes the hill on Thursday as the San Francisco Giants visit the Atlanta Braves, who haven’t lost a home series since April.

The reigning two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum (11-4, 3.10 ERA) has been defined by his herky-jerky delivery which, despite criticism, has been extremely successful.

But this season Lincecum has been a bit inconsistent this season and that prompted him to make a slight adjustment last week in a bullpen session. Lincecum unveiled the more conventional look Friday, which has him bringing both of his hands higher over his head during his wind-up.

The result was a vintage performance from the right-hander, who allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings against Los Angeles for his first win since July 15. He struck out nine and walked two.

As good as Lincecum was against the Dodgers, he may have to be even better against the Braves at Turner Field. Atlanta owns the best home mark in baseball (36-14) and has won 26 of its last games 33 there.

The club hasn’t lost a home series since April 20-22.

Lincecum beat the Braves on April 11 in San Francisco, when he allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings. Overall, he is 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts against them. His ERA at Turner Field, however, is a mediocre 4.08 in three starts.

Lincecum faces a Braves team that is back to its winning ways after a miserable 3-6 road trip.

Atlanta opened a season-high seven-game homestand by taking two of three from the New York Mets. Brian McCann homered and drove in three runs in Wednesday’s 8-3 victory.

The Braves are clinging to a two-game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East.

San Francisco is in the midst of a tight pennant race as well. The Giants had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 6-1 loss to Colorado Wednesday, but still trail San Diego by just one game in the NL West.

San Francisco has gained 6 1/2 games on the Padres in the last month by going a major league-best 22-7 since July 3.

They look to move closer to the Padres against Jair Jurrjens (3-4, 4.62 ERA), who is winless in his last two starts. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA in three starts against the Giants, who took two of three from the Braves at home in April.