Atlanta @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2013 ) Atlanta 0, Detroit 10

The Detroit Tigers were sitting on an offensive outburst, but in a lineup full of potent bats, Matt Tuiasosopo figured to be an unlikely catalyst. Tuiasosopo hit a three-run homer and had a career-high five RBIs as the Tigers stomped the visiting Atlanta Braves 10-0 on Friday. Detroit, which had been limited to three runs or fewer in six of its previous seven games, looks to carry the momentum into Saturday afternoon's matchup with the Braves.

Atlanta owns the best record in the National League but has hit a rough patch with five losses in seven games. The Braves were overmatched in the series opener, striking out 18 times - 17 against Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez - and getting shut out for the fourth time. Braves manager moved Dan Uggla into the No. 2 hole in the lineup but it resulted in four strikeouts in as many at-bats. Atlanta's Kris Medlen will oppose Rick Porcello in the middle game of the series.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (1-2, 2.16 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (0-2, 11.08)

Medlen hasn't been able to match his spectacular second half of 2012, when he went 9-0 from July 31 on, but he's putting together a solid season and has allowed only six earned runs in his four starts. He took the loss last time out at Pittsburgh, giving up a season-high three runs in six innings. Medlen won his only career start against Detroit in June 2010, giving up one run in 6 2/3 innings.

Porcello saw his ERA go through the stratosphere after he was rocked for nine runs in two-thirds of an inning by the Los Angeles Angels a week ago. He had one turn skipped due to weather earlier in the month and has pitched only 2 2/3 innings since April 10. That amount of rest normally does not translate well for a sinkerballer like Porcello, who is allowing opposing batters to hit .383.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miguel Cabrera is riding a 10-game hitting streak and is batting .368.

2. The Braves have struck out at least 13 times in a game five times.

3. Tigers RF Torii Hunter has 13 multi-hit games, the most by a Detroit player in the first 21 games since 1916.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Tigers 3