(Sports Network) - Johan Santana's ballyhooed debut with the New York Mets was a smashing success, but the superstar left-hander figures to face a step up in competition when he opposes John Smoltz and the Atlanta Braves today in the finale of a weather-shortened two-game series.

Santana, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and three-time All- Star with Minnesota, was traded by the Twins to the Mets for four prospects over the winter in the biggest deal of this past offseason. The native Venezuelan did not disappoint in his first start with his new team, as Santana held Florida to two runs on three hits and struck out eight over seven innings to earn his first National League victory in New Yorks 7-2 triumph over the Marlins on Monday.

The 29-year-old faced the Braves twice during his eight-year tenure with the Twins, including last June at the Metrodome. Santana recorded a no decision in that game despite giving up just two runs and five hits in seven innings and striking out nine Atlanta batters.

In his only other start versus the Braves, Santana was hung with a loss after allowing two runs over 4 2/3 frames at the Metrodome on June 12, 2002.

Smoltz will be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game and begins his 19th season in a Braves uniform. The 41-year-old was bothered by tightness in his throwing shoulder for part of spring training, but proved himself ready by throwing 83 pitches in a minor-league game a week ago.

The eight-time All-Star put together another outstanding campaign in 2007, compiling a 14-11 record and a 3.11 earned run average in 32 starts and ranking third among NL hurlers with 197 strikeouts.

Smoltz owns a 17-14 record with a 3.42 ERA and 24 saves in 68 career games against the Mets, 40 of which have been starts. He met the Mets six times last season and went 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in those outings.

After Friday's proposed opener of this weekend set was postponed due to rain, the Braves pounded out 15 hits against New York's pitchers to post an 11-6 victory yesterday afternoon in the first of 18 scheduled meetings between these NL East rivals in 2008.

Kelly Johnson delivered the biggest blow, a pinch-hit grand slam off reliever Jorge Sosa in the seventh inning that gave Atlanta a commanding 9-3 advantage. Johnson, the Braves' regular second baseman, did not start for a second straight game due to soreness in his right knee.

Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-5 with three RBI and Chipper Jones also had three hits for Atlanta. Mark Teixeira reached base four times in the win, collecting two hits and a pair of walks while scoring twice.

The slugfest made a winner out of Tim Hudson (1-0), who allowed three runs on six hits over the first six innings.

Atlanta rocked Mets starter John Maine for four runs and eight hits in just four innings of work. The right-hander also walked three and struck out five and threw a whopping 96 pitches before exiting.

New York's David Wright had a 20-game hitting streak dating back to September 19 of last season snapped after the third baseman finished 0-for-4.

These divisional foes split 18 matchups a year ago, with the Mets holding a slight 5-4 edge in the games played at Turner Field. New York did sweep a three-game set from the Braves in Atlanta from August 31-September 2 of last year.