Braves try to deliver KO punch at home after landing quick 1-2

ATLANTA -- Now that they have a commanding lead in the playoffs, the Atlanta Braves aren't the least bit concerned about their mediocre record at Turner Field during the regular season.

The Braves became the first team to make the postseason with a sub-.500 mark at home, which should provide a glimmer of hope to the Houston Astros after two straight losses at Enron Field.

Not so, said Atlanta outfielder Brian Jordan, whose team hopes to finish off the best-of-five series today with a sweep.

"This is a totally different season," Jordan insisted after an off-day workout at The Ted. "Besides, when we needed to win at home this season, we did. Coming home, I think we have the advantage."

The Braves were just 40-41 at Turner Field but did win six of the last nine, clinching the NL East championship and a 10th straight postseason appearance. In the final 10 days, Atlanta took two out of three from both Philadelphia and the New York Mets, its closest rivals.

"Going to the playoffs, we had a lot of confidence," Jordan said. "And getting the Astros boosted our confidence a little more. They were struggling at the end of the year."

With a tough act to follow, Atlanta's John Burkett will make his first postseason start since 1996. Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine started the first two games for the Braves, allowing just two earned runs in 14 innings at tiny Enron.

Shane Reynolds, a 14-game winner during the regular season, will try to end Houston's ignominious distinction of never winning an elimination game in the postseason.

The 36-year-old Burkett considered retirement after being released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in spring training a year ago. He was picked up by the Braves and wound up making the All-Star team this season.

"I thought my career was over," he said. "Now, here I am, starting Game 3 of the playoffs for the Atlanta Braves. Just playing with a team like the Braves is incredible."

With firsthand knowledge of how quickly things can change, Burkett knows it's important to knock out the Astros as soon as possible.

"Even though we're up 2-0, I feel like we need to win Friday," he said. "You lose one game in a series like this, and the momentum changes."

The Braves didn't have manager Bobby Cox for their workout. He was in Birmingham, Ala., with his sister, Joy Rogers, who suffered a brain hemorrhage on Wednesday.

General manager John Schuerholz did not talk with Cox before the workout, but assumes he will return to Atlanta for Game 3. If not, dugout coach Pat Corrales likely would take his place.

Houston, which won the Central Division on the final day of the season after squandering a 5 1/2-game lead with 12 to play, was scheduled to fly into Atlanta on Thursday afternoon for a workout at Turner Field.

Considering their playoff history, the Astros might be better off spending their time with a motivational speaker. Houston is 0-for-6 in the playoffs, including first-round losses to the Braves in 1997 and '99.