The scintillating pitching matchup of Mets ace Johan Santana against Braves ace Derek Lowe highlights tonight’s series opener at Citi Field as the streaking Amazin’s try to make it eight in a row. Santana is on an incredible roll, having won 13 of his past 14 starts. He also is coming off his second consecutive NL Pitcher of the Month award but will be trying to beat the Braves for the first time in his career.

Santana is winless all-time against Atlanta, posting a 0-3 record despite a 2.76 ERA. He will be opposed tonight by Lowe, a top offseason free-agent target of the Mets who signed with the Braves instead and has been their rock so far, posting a 4-1 record and 3.98 ERA.

Here is the 17-13 Mets’ order for the 7:10 p.m. game:

Jose Reyes SS

Luis Castillo 2B

Carlos Beltran CF

David Wright 3B

Daniel Murphy LF

Fernando Tatis 1B

Jeremy Reed RF

Omir Santos C

Johan Santana LHP (4-1, 0.91)

Santana’s numbers against the Braves’ hitters

*

The Braves will not have Chipper Jones tonight due to a sore elbow.