Atlanta @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2013 ) Atlanta 3, Philadelphia 7

The Philadelphia Phillies turn to another member of their future on Friday when right-hander Ethan Martin makes his major-league debut in the opener of a three-game home series against the Atlanta Braves. The Phillies promoted Martin from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start for veteran Cliff Lee, who will miss his second consecutive outing with neck stiffness. Philadelphia squandered a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning on Thursday against San Francisco, losing for the 10th time in 11 games.

The Braves own an 11 1/2-game lead in the National League East after sweeping a seven-game homestand against St. Louis and Colorado. Third baseman Chris Johnson leads the NL in hitting at .346, and is batting .475 during his 10-game hitting streak with seven consecutive multi-hit contests. Atlanta, which scored 40 runs in a four-game sweep of Colorado, is averaging 5.6 runs per game while going 10-4 since the All-Star break.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), CSN (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (7-10, 3.74 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Ethan Martin (2013 Triple-A: 11-5, 4.12).

Medlen snapped a three-start losing streak with Sunday’s victory against St. Louis, allowing two earned runs on eight hits in six innings. The right-hander posted an 8.59 ERA in his three previous outings, allowing 14 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. That first start of that stretch was against Philadelphia on July 7, in which Medlen allowed six earned runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Martin makes his debut after surrendering only one earned run in 18 1/3 innings across his final three Triple-A starts, striking out 20 hitters in that span. The 24-year-old came to the Phillies from the Los Angeles Dodgers last year in the Shane Victorino deal. He struck out 107 in 115 2/3 innings at Lehigh Valley this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Braves have lost 13 of their past 21 road games.

2. Atlanta CF Jason Heyward is hitting .333 in six games since moving to the leadoff spot.

3. Martin is rated the Phillies’ No. 10 prospect by MLB.com.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Phillies 3