Marlins at Braves
Back in first place in the National League East, the Atlanta Braves are hoping to make the most of a rare homestand. The Braves earned a series split with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday and have a two-game set against NL East rivals the Miami Marlins at home before embarking on a seven-game road trip. Prior to the current four-game homestand, Atlanta was on the road for nine straight. The Marlins have won 11 of their last 14 games and are hoping to creep further up the standings at the expense of the Braves.
Atlanta was expecting to lean on its pitching but it has been the offense doing the bulk of the work in the early going, ranking second in the NL in runs scored. The Marlins have gotten off to a slower start with the bats but have shown signs of breaking out with at least four runs in each of their last eight wins. Hanley Ramirez has broken out of a slump with back-to-back multi-hit games and Giancarlo Stanton has looked strong at the plate over the last week.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSFL (Florida), SPSO (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Mark Buehrle (2-4, 2.81 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (2-2, 6.59 ERA)
Buehrle has allowed two runs or fewer in five of his seven starts. After receiving very little offensive support in his first few turns, Miami has won in each of the left-hander’s last two starts while putting up a total of 10 runs. Buehrle made two interleague starts against the Braves when he was with the White Sox, going 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA.
Minor has been ineffective of late, a total of 21 runs in 16 innings over his last three starts. Command has been the big issue, with the 24-year old yielding seven home runs and issuing seven walks during that span. Minor has been knocked around in three career starts against the Marlins, posting a 6.46 ERA. Stanton and Ramirez are a combined 4-for-4 with three home runs off Minor.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman missed Tuesday’s game with scratches in both eyes. He is day-to-day.
2. Marlins RH Josh Johnson picked up his first win since April 2011 on Tuesday.
3. Miami speedster Emilo Bonifacio leads the majors with 19 stolen bases. He has yet to be caught.