It's three games in early April, but it's not just three games.

The Braves and New York Mets square off in a weekend series beginning Friday night at Turner Field, the first time the National League East rivals have met since Tom Glavine returned to Atlanta after five seasons with the Mets.

Of course, it's also the first time the teams have met since the Mets traded for distinguished left-hander Johan Santana, who's scheduled to face John Smoltz on Sunday in Smoltz's first game back from the disabled list.

And the first time the teams have met since the Mets won five of the last six games between them in 2007, including a sweep Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Turner Field that severely damaged the Braves' faint playoff hopes.

"I think it's going to set the tone on how the season's going to go," Braves catcher Brian McCann said of the series between two teams trying to unseat the division-champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Though some might downplay the importance of the series because it's so early, Glavine, who's scheduled to start Saturday, said the team that wins this series will come away with a "decidedly different feeling."

Gaining an advantage in the season series is important, he said, regardless of what point of the season it is.

"We both feel good about our teams," Glavine said of the Braves and Mets. "Both feel good about our chances of winning the division. And so much of winning the division is playing against teams within your division."

Glavine and most Braves believe Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia will make it a competitive division race all summer long.

"These games are just as important as the ones at the end," McCann said. "Last year [during a Braves midseason slump] we were like, 'Yeah, we'll get 'em tomorrow.' I think this year we need to get them early, so later on in the year we're not talking about trying to catch teams."

The Mets ended the Braves' run of 14 consecutive division titles in 2006 and have won 20 of 36 games between the teams the past two seasons.

"I think there's a difference between our team this year and last year," Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. "It'd be nice to make a statement this weekend. It'd be nice to get a head start against them, especially at home, to gain some momentum."

Tim Hudson is scheduled to face the Mets' John Maine on Friday, followed by Glavine against Mike Pelfrey on Saturday, then the big matchup between Smoltz and Santana in the Sunday afternoon finale.

"That's why baseball's fun, matchups like that," Francoeur said of Smoltz vs. Santana.

Corky does the catching

Corky Miller was the Braves' starting catcher Thursday night, perhaps an indication that Miller could be assigned to left-hander Mike Hampton's starts.

Manager Bobby Cox was asked if that was the plan.

"No, just playing him tonight," Cox said. "Mac [McCann] has caught every inning so far, some tough games, extra-inning games."

But a few minutes later, Cox said, "Corky did a real good job catching Hampton a couple times this spring. We'll see how it works out."

Hampton was a late scratch from Thursday's start, but Miller remained in the lineup to catch substitute starter Jeff Bennett.

Prado gets second start

Martin Prado got his second consecutive start in place of Kelly Johnson, who has been hampered by a sore right knee.

"Hopefully he'll be ready for tomorrow," Cox said of Johnson, adding that Prado's performance Wednesday and the cool weather Thursday made it an easy decision.

"Prado had a good night, he really did," Cox said of the utility man, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, a walk and three runs from the leadoff spot in Wednesday's 10-2 win against Pittsburgh.