New York @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2013 ) NY Mets 5, Atlanta 13

Jordan Schafer once was the Atlanta Braves’ top prospect, and after a rocky four-year stretch in which he was injured and eventually traded, the 26-year-old holds a surprisingly critical role in the Braves’ postseason hopes. The National League East-leading Braves host the Mets on Tuesday in the middle game of a three-game series, one day after Schafer went 4-for-5 with three stolen bases. Schafer, who turns 27 on Wednesday and left Monday's game with a lower back strain, is hitting .275 with 20 steals; the rest of the Atlanta roster has 30 stolen bases.

New York will spend September giving younger players an opportunity to make an impression for 2014, but manager Terry Collins said Monday he will keep 19-year veteran LaTroy Hawkins as the team’s closer for the season’s final weeks. Hawkins, 40, has six saves since taking over for the injured Bobby Parnell in early August. The team sent first baseman Ike Davis back to New York after he strained his right oblique muscle Saturday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Carlos Torres (3-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kris Medlen (11-12, 3.58)

Torres is 2-1 with a 4.79 ERA in four starts, making 23 of his 27 appearances in relief. He started against the Braves on July 23, getting his first victory of the season by allowing one run on seven hits with six strikeouts in six innings. He beat the Phillies on Thursday in his first start since July 28, surrendering one run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Medlen, who's received a decision in his past 17 appearances (16 starts), snapped a two-game losing streak with seven innings of shutout ball against Cleveland on Thursday. He has walked eight hitters in his past nine appearances, covering 51 1/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA against the Mets this season, losing in the matchup with Torres on July 23.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York, which has suffered several significant pitching injuries, signed veteran P Aaron Harang to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman has five homers and 16 RBIs in 17 games against New York this season.

3. The Braves became the first team in baseball to reach 50 wins at home with Monday’s victory, improving to 50-19 at Turner Field.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Mets 2