When the GreenJackets begin their first-round playoff series against the Asheville Tourists this week, they'll be putting their ace on the mound right away.

Augusta has announced its probable starting pitchers for the first two games of the series, and the list contains no surprises.

GreenJackets ace Madison Bumgarner , who finished the regular season leading the league with the lowest ERA (1.46) and most strikeouts (164) and tied for the lead in wins (15), is slated to start Game 1 on Wednesday.

"This is just getting more fun. I'm anxious and ready to play," the 19-year-old said. "Everybody knows it's going to get a lot more intense and more exciting, because it's not 140 games anymore. It's three games. It's win two out of three or go home."

Scott Barnes , San Francisco's eighth-round selection in June's Major League Baseball Draft, will take the mound for Augusta in Game 2 in Asheville on Friday.

Barnes joined Augusta midway through the second half of the season and posted a 1.38 ERA in six starts. The 20-year-old lefty hasn't faced Asheville, but he threw seven shutout innings in a win over SAL Northern Division second-half champion West Virginia.

HOME RUN HAPPY: When the GreenJackets begin postseason play, they'll start in Lake Olmstead Stadium. After Game 1, the series will shift to Asheville, where the home run ball rules.

Fortunately for Augusta, its offense has shown that it can win with the long ball. The team entered August averaging 13.5 homers per month but hit 14 in the last seven games of the month. Juan Ciriaco , who started August with one homer, has hit four over the past seven games. Angel Villalona and Dayton Buller each have three home runs in the same stretch.

EXTRA HELP: The GreenJackets picked up another arm to add to their already-strong staff.

Henry Sosa , an SAL All-Star and MLB Futures Game selection last season, rejoined the team Wednesday when he was activated from the disabled list. The 6-foot-2 right-hander has battled injuries all season but was healthy enough last week to make two appearances out of the bullpen. He worked one inning and gave up one hit against Hickory on Friday in an 8-1 win and got a hold in a 10-6 win over Asheville on Sunday.

"He's been here before, and we know what he can do," GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels said. "He's got a big-time arm, and we're glad to have him."

Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.