San Diego @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2013 ) San Diego 4, Atlanta 0

The numbers are far from impressive, but B.J. Upton’s production in the leadoff spot of the Atlanta Braves’ lineup exceeds the center fielder’s otherwise epic offensive struggles in an Atlanta uniform. The Braves host the San Diego Padres in the opener of a four-game series Friday, and in 25 games hitting leadoff Upton is batting .252, raising his average from .202 to .216. The Padres, who made headlines this week by dealing Chase Headley to the New York Yankees, have won four of their past five and used a nine-run sixth Thursday to beat the Cubs 13-3.

San Diego’s starting rotation has been as solid as anybody in baseball the past month as Padres’ starters have surrendered three earned runs or fewer in 26 of the past 28 games since June 21. Rookie Jesse Hahn will come back up from Triple-A El Paso to start the series opener as San Diego manager Bud Black elected to give Odrisamer Despaigne an extra day of rest after he flirted with a no-hitter while throwing 123 pitches Sunday. Atlanta begins play Friday 1 1/2 games behind Washington in the National League East after losing three of four to Miami, and is 3-4 on its current 11-game homestand.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jesse Hahn (5-2, 2.21 ERA) vs. Braves LH Alex Wood (7-7, 3.24)

Hahn has made a huge impression on San Diego through the first seven starts of his major-league career, winning five of his past six outings while allowing more than two earned runs just twice. He beat Los Angeles on July 11 with six innings of one-run, three-hit pitching. Hahn walked a season-high four in that outing, but has struck out seven or more hitters four times while not giving up more than six hits in a start.

Wood opened the second half with a strong effort Sunday against Philadelphia, giving up one run on three hits with eight strikeouts to improve to 2-1 since returning to the starting rotation. The 23-year-old sports a 2.95 ERA in 12 starts, going 4-6 while holding opponents to a .230 batting average. Wood pitched a scoreless inning of relief against San Diego last season in his only lifetime appearance against the Padres.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego CF Will Venable is 12-for-31 in his past 10 games, collecting three hits Thursday.

2. Atlanta rookie 2B Tommy La Stella is batting .333 (8-for-24) with two outs and runners in scoring position, driving in 13 runs.

3. Atlanta native and former Braves OF Jeff Francoeur, who hit 78 homers with the team from 2005-09, was called up by the Padres on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Padres 2