Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Philadelphia 2, Atlanta 9

Kris Medlen emerged as one of baseball’s big stories in the second half last season. Atlanta hopes the right-hander can continue establishing himself as an ace when the host Braves look to cap a three-game sweep of the Phillies on Thursday. Medlen went 9-0 in 12 starts after the Braves inserted him into the rotation last summer. Atlanta typically fares well when Medlen starts: The Braves have won his past 23 regular-season starts.

The Phillies turn to Cliff Lee after the Braves lit up Philadelphia pitching for 16 runs and six home runs in the first two games of the series. Lee is coming off his lowest win total since 2007 despite posting a 3.16 ERA in 2012. One piece of good news for Philadelphia is second baseman Chase Utley. After missing 79 games because of injury last season, Utley is 4-for-9 through two games with five RBIs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, TCN (Philadelphia), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Philadelphia LH Cliff Lee (2012: 6-9, 3.16 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Kris Medlen (2012: 10-1, 1.57).

Lee epitomized the phrase “tough-luck pitcher” last season, winning six games despite finishing ninth in the NL in ERA. The Phillies scored three runs or less in 16 of his 30 starts, and Lee did not record his first victory until July 4. Lee dominated the Braves in two stellar 2012 starts, striking out 16 with a 0.60 ERA.

Since posting a 3-5 record as a rookie in 2009, the 27-year-old Medlen is 16-3 in his past 26 big-league starts. A 7.23 ERA in six Grapefruit League starts this spring raised some eyebrows, though. Medlen did not make a start against Philadelphia a year ago, but posted an 8.10 ERA in three relief appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta LF Justin Upton has homered in his first two games in a Braves’ uniform. Upton hit two in 20 games last April with Arizona.

2. The Phillies claimed OF Ezequiel Carrera off waivers from Cleveland. Carrera stole eight bases and made 158 plate appearances for the Indians in 2012, with six doubles, three triples and a .707 OPS.

3. The two teams played through a steady light rain Wednesday, and there is a 100 percent chance of rain in Atlanta Thursday and Thursday night.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Phillies 1