Pitching Probables:
RHP Ricky Nolasco (MIA) 4-8, 3.93 ERA
LHP Mike Minor (ATL) 8-3, 2.98 ERA
Tonight's Starting Lineups (7:10 pm ET, SportSouth):
Marlins (career vs. Minor):
Justin Ruggiano - CF (2-7, 2B, 2 BB, K)
Ed Lucas - 1B (N/A)
Giancarlo Stanton - RF (2-9, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K)
Marcell Ozuna - LF (N/A)
Placido Polanco - 3B (2-4, 2B, BB)
Donovan Solano - 2B (3-9, 2B)
Adeiny Hechavarria - SS (0-2, K)
Jeff Mathis - C (N/A)
Ricky Nolasco - P (0-1, K)
Braves (career vs. Nolasco):
Andrelton Simmons - SS (N/A)
Jason Heyward - RF (7-20, 2 2B, 3B, HR, RBI, 3 BB, 2 K)
Justin Upton - LF (3-11, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (5-22, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 4 K)
Brian McCann - C (19-55, 4 2B, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K)
Dan Uggla - 2B (5-16, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K)
BJ Upton - CF (2-13, RBI, BB, 5 K)
Chris Johnson - 3B (3-9, RBI, 2 K)
Mike Minor - P (0-2, K)
Preview:
Ricky Nolasco takes the hill tonight against the Braves in what could be his final start as a Marlin. Trade rumors have swirled around Nolasco for weeks. Numerous playoff contenders have contacted the Marlins about acquiring the right-hander. As the trade talks between Miami and potential suitors have intensified, Nolasco has struggled in an otherwise sold contract year.
After recording five quality starts in six outings between May 8 and June 4, Nolasco has a 5.09 ERA and just one quality start in his last four outings.
Opposing Nolasco tonight is lefty Mike Minor, who has arguably been the best Braves starter in a rotation that ranks second in the Majors in ERA with 3.18. Minor leads the rotation with a 2.98 ERA to go along with 95 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings. In his last start against the Royals, Minor pitched six solid innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and struck out four as he received the no decision in a 4-3 Braves extra-inning loss.
Morrison, Stanton leading the way for Marlins:
Marlins have won eight of their last 11 games, including series wins against the Marlins and Padres. Since Logan Morrison returned to the lineup, Miami is 13-8. Giancarlo Stanton rejoined the club a day after Morrison, kick-starting their recent run.
Stanton has played every game since his return and has come out on fire, hitting .303 (23-for-76) with five home runs, 13 RBIs, and 11 runs scored. Other hitters have stepped up along with Morrison and Stanton, including rookie Marcell Ozuna, who had his 10-game hitting streak snapped in last night's 11-3 loss to the Braves and Jeff Mathis, who hit a walk-off grand slam Sunday against the Padres. In that series against San Diego, Mathis went 4-for-10 with the walk-off grand slam and 9 RBIs in the three-game series.
J. Upton beginning to heat up, BJ leaves game w/ injury:
Braves OF Justin Upton has been mired in a slump since he was named the National League Player of the Month in April. His batting average dropped from .298 to a season-low .239 on June 19, and has only hit three home runs since clubbing 12 in his first 26 games. However, Upton has picked up the slack as of late, going 11-for-31 (.355) with five RBIs and seven runs scored in his last eight ballgames.
Justin's older brother, BJ, left last night's game in the second inning with an injury after striking out. Good news is, it was nothing serious as he had muscle spasms in his left forearm. Upton is listed as day-to-day, but is in tonight's lineup and will hit seventh.
Side note:
With Tuesday night's 11-3 win, the Braves are now 11-2 in games following an off day this season. They also notched their 25th come-from-behind victory, after falling behind the Marlins, 2-0, in the first inning.
Marlins RHP Henderson Alvarez is set to make his season debut Thursday night against Julio Teheran.
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