Chicago @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Atlanta 4

It is a familiar story, Atlanta having another potentially great young pitcher in the wings. Julio Teheran has spent the great majority of the past two years at Triple-A waiting for another opportunity, which arrives Saturday when the Braves host the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old right-hander solidified his spot in the Braves’ rotation with a dynamite spring. Teheran posted a 1.04 ERA in six Grapefruit League starts, striking out 35 and allowing seven hits in 26 innings.

After two years with Toronto, Carlos Villanueva starts for Chicago in his return to the National League. Villanueva pitched mostly out of the bullpen with Milwaukee from 2006-2010, but started 29 games the past two years with the Blue Jays. Chicago dropped to 2-2 with a 4-1 loss to Atlanta in Friday's series opener.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Fox Sports South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Chicago RH Carlos Villanueva (2012: 7-7, 4.16 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Julio Teheran (2012: 0-0, 5.68)

Villanueva pitched well in six spring starts, posting a 3.57 ERA but allowed four homers in 22 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old is filling in while Chicago starters Scott Baker and Matt Garza recover from injuries. Villanueva is 1-2 lifetime with a 7.20 ERA in 10 appearances (one start) against Atlanta.

The Braves tweaked Teheran’s mechanics early last season in the minors. The right-hander went back to his normal delivery late in 2012, and after a strong winter-league campaign and a dominant spring, the right-hander looks ready to take his place every fifth day in Atlanta’s rotation. Teheran has made four major-league starts the past two seasons, going 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta LF Justin Upton has three homers in his first four games in a Braves uniform.

2. The Braves got three hits from rookie C Evan Gattis in his second start Friday. Gattis homered in his second major-league at-bat Wednesday.

3. Friday marked the first of 19 consecutive games for Chicago against teams who finished at .500 or better last season.

PREDICTION: Braves 7, Cubs 4