Pen Rested, Offense Smoking, Braves Look to Steam Roll Mets - Again.

Friday night's rain out provided a much needed night off for Atlanta's bullpen. The pen received even more rest Saturday afternoon when everyone but Ring and Soriano got a second consecutive day of rest. The Braves were able to take advantage of the Mets bullpen in an 11-5 victory. Tim Hudson picked up his first win of the year and the Braves notched a win against the division leading Mets. For a complete wrap up of Saturday's game check out Mark Bowman's article. The Braves and Mets will face each other 17 more times this season.

The pen may be needed tomorrow as John Smoltz makes his season debut after being activated from the DL. Smoltzie may not want to push the shoulder past 5 innings tomorrow as he continues to work it back into shape so expect see at least 4 relievers used if the game's outcome is still in question once Smoltzie leaves. Smoltz will start in place of Tom Glavine who will be bumped one day and will start Monday in Colorado. Joking with the Fox broadcasters during today's telecast, Smoltz commented that pitching cooler weather would not be a problem for Tommy since he doesn't throw hard enough to make his shoulder tired. It's nice to see these guys have fallen right back in stride as if Tommy had been with the team over the past 5 years.

The Braves offense was explosive once again as they scored double digit runs for the third time in four games. That feat will be hard to replicate tomorrow as the Braves face Johan Santana. Kelly Johnson returned to the line up with a pinch hit Grand Slam in the 7th which put the game out of reach for good and turned what was shaping up to be a barn burner into a laugher.

Here is Sunday's pitching matchup and some tidbits from MLB.com

Pitching matchup

ATL: RHP John Smoltz (14-8, 3.11 ERA in 2007)Smoltz will be making his season debut with a right shoulder that he says has proven to be healthy over the past week. The tightness he'd had between his neck and right shoulder wasn't present when he completed five innings in a Minor League game on Sunday. The veteran hurler's only Spring Training start against a big league team occurred on March 15 against the Rays.

NYM: LHP Johan Santana (1-0, 2.57 ERA)Santana was in control throughout his Mets debut against the Marlins on Monday. If not for a two-run home run by Josh Willingham, he would have escaped unscathed. As it was, he allowed three hits and two walks and struck out eight in seven innings. But the Marlins' batting order and that of the Braves bear little resemblance. Santana threw 100 pitches and fatigue didn't appear to be an issue.

Tidbits

Jones and Francoeur, who both went 3-for-5 in Saturday's series-opening win, are the only Braves to record a hit in every game this season. ... According to the Eilas Sports Bureau, Royce Ring was at the center of history during this week's Pirates series. He became the first pitcher ever to appear in three straight games against only the same hitter (Adam LaRoche) and strike him out each time. ... Braves left fielder Matt Diaz has five hits, including a homer, in nine career at-bats against Santana. Mark Teixeira has four hits, including a homer and a double, in 17 career at-bats against the southpaw.