Game 89 Preview: Atlanta Braves (50-38) at Miami Marlins (32-55)

Pitching Probables:

LHP Mike Minor (ATL) 8-4, 3.15 ERA

RHP Kevin Slowey (MIA) 3-6, 4.24 ERA

Tonight's Starting Lineups (7:10 pm ET, SportSouth):

Braves (career vs. Slowey):

Andrelton Simmons - SS (1-4, 3B, RBI)
Jason Heyward - RF (2-6, 2B, RBI, BB, K)

Justin Upton - LF (4-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB)
Freddie Freeman - 1B (0-2)

Brian McCann - C (2-7, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K)

Dan Uggla - 2B (0-5, RBI, K)

BJ Upton - CF (2-6, HR, RBI, K)

Chris Johnson - 3B (3-4)

Mike Minor - P (N/A)

Marlins (career vs. Minor):

Justin Ruggiano - LF (4-10, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K)
Ed Lucas - 3B (1-3, K)

Giancarlo Stanton - RF (2-11, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K)
Marcell Ozuna - CF (0-3, K)

Logan Morrison - 1B (3-10, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 K)

Adeiny Hechavarria - SS (1-5, 2B, RBI, 2 K)
Derek Dietrich - 2B (N/A)

Jeff Mathis - C (0-2, BB, 2 K)
Kevin Slowey - P (N/A)

Preview:

After trading Ricky Nolasco to the Dodgers on Saturday, the Marlins will give former Twins SP Kevin Slowey another chance in the rotation. 

Slowey, who was moved to the bullpen in June, will pitch for Miami in its series opener against Atlanta Monday night at Marlins Park. He'll have some tough competition as Mike Minor toes the rubber for the Braves, opposing Slowey. In just 13 starts this season, Slowey is 1-6 with a 4.50 ERA. June 12, the last time Slowey made a start, he struggled mightily against the Brewers, allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits and struck out six over five innings in the 10-1 loss. Before trading Nolasco, Marlins manager Mike Redmond wasn't sure if Nolasco would be dealt so he made sure Slowey was rested enough to replace Nolasco in the rotation. In four relief appearances, Slowey went 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA. Slowey faces a tough Braves lineup tonight. While they lost two of three to the Phillies this weekend, the club did pound out 13 runs on 19 hits in Saturday's runaway victory. Slowey did pitch against the Braves last week in Atlanta, giving up four runs on five hits, walked two, and struck out two in two innings out of the bullpen.

Mike Minor takes the mound for the Braves in the series opener tonight in Miami, having lost in his last start, to these same Marlins, in which he allowed four runs on six hits, walked three, and struck out nine over six innings in the 6-3 loss last Wednesday. Minor has not won a game since June 9, when he beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He looks to reverse his recent trend tonight as the Braves begin an important series with the Marlins with the Nationals bearing down on them in the division.

Marlins recall Hatcher, Hechavarria on fire:

Miami recalled right-hander Chris Hatcher from Triple-A New Orleans to take Nolasco's roster spot. While in Triple-A, Hatcher converted 24 of 25 save opportunities which earned him a spot on the Pacific Coast League All-Star team.

Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria carries a season-high seven-game hitting streak into tonight's game. In that stretch, Hechavarria is hitting .423.

Brian McCann, Chris Johnson scorching:

Braves C Brian McCann's double in the fifth inning Saturday night was a big part of the 13-4 outburst on the Phillies. He followed his hot hitting with a 3-for-4 performance on Sunday. In his last 11 games, McCann is hitting a red-hot .512.

Third basemen Chris Johnson also continued his hot hitting with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Phillies. In his last 12 games, Johnson is hitting .409 with two homers and eight RBIs.

Side note:

Mike Minor has given up at least four earned runs in three of his last four starts, including his last outing against the Marlins. He did that only once in his first 13 starts to begin the season.

Miami and Atlanta has played two series, six games, this season, with the Braves sweeping the Marlins in the first series back in April and the Marlins winning two of three last week.