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Atlanta (66-71) at NY Mets (84-52) 1:10 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets hope Dave Williams continues to pitch impressively in the absence of ace Pedro Martinez.

Williams will take the ball in the first game of doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Williams (4-3, 6.10 ERA) has picked up the slack since Martinez went on the disabled list with a mild right calf strain in mid-August. The lefthander pitched well last month, going 2-0 with a 3.79 ERA in three starts since being recalled from Class AAA Norfolk on August 19.

In his last outing, he allowed three runs and nine hits in seven innings of an 11-3 win against Colorado at Coors Field on Wednesday.

He will be opposed by veteran righthander John Smoltz (12-7, 3.60), who struggled in his last start against San Francisco on Thursday. The seven-time All-Star allowed seven runs and six hits in an 8-6 loss to the Giants.

However, the former Cy Young Award winner pitched well in August, going 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA in four starts last month.

Atlanta shut out the Mets in Monday's series opener, with Chuck James pitching eight scoreless innings and allowing one hit in a 5-0 win.

The contest Tuesday was rained out, setting up the twinbill.

Edgar Renteria had two hits and two RBI for the Braves, who are 5 1/2 games behind San Diego in the National League wild card.