Justin Ruggiano's game-winner on Sunday gave Miami their first series victory since before the All-Star break.
The Miami Marlins are coming off of their first series victory in nearly a month after winning the final two games of a three-game-set with the San Diego Padres. The Marlins finish a six-game homestand 3-3 and now head to Turner Field to take on the Atlanta Braves for four games. The Braves swept the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend while allowing just four runs over the three games. Miami and Atlanta will be meeting for the second time in less than a week and will conclude July against one another and welcome in August.
The Miami Marlins enter the series with Atlanta with a record of 47-54 which leaves them in fourth place in the National League East. Miami is 14 games back of the Washington Nationals in the division, but find themselves now just a game and a half back of the New York Mets for third place. With a 57-44 record, the Atlanta Braves enter the series in second place in the N.L. East sitting four games back of Washington. The Braves however, do lead for the final wild card spot in the National League. Miami and Atlanta will play four night games during the series.
Season Series
Atlanta leads 6-2. The Braves hold the edge in the season series, but in Atlanta, the series is even 1-1. The Marlins and Braves split a two-game-set at Turner Field in mid-May. In South Florida, the Braves are 5-1. Atlanta took two out of three from the Marlins just a week ago in Miami. The Braves swept the Fish in South Florida in early June winning the three games by a combined 21-3 score.
Eovaldi Shines in Miami Debut
In Saturday night’s 4-2 win over San Diego, the newest Miami Marlin shined. Nate Eovaldi, who was acquired last week from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Hanley Ramirez, picked up a win in his first start with Miami. In 5 1/3 innings, Eovaldi gave up just one run on five hits while striking out five and walking two. Few were happy with the acquisition of Eovaldi in exchange for the former face of the franchise, but the hard-throwing 22-year-old helped snap a three-game-skid and get the Marlins back in the win column.
Morrison on the DL
The Miami Marlins’ beat up outfield just got a little more beat up over the weekend as left fielder Logan Morrison was sent to the disabled list with inflammation in his right knee. The Marlins have been without Giancarlo Stanton since just before the All-Star break and were without Emilio Bonifacio for most of the first half. Morrison had been hitless in his last five games going 0-for-15 and may end up having season-ending surgery. Morrison is hitting .230 on the year with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Pitching Matchups
Monday – Mark Buehrle (MIA) 9-9, 3.31 ERA vs. Tommy Hanson (ATL) 11-5, 4.39 ERA
Tuesday – Ricky Nolasco (MIA) 8-9, 4.80 ERA vs. Kris Medlen (ATL) 1-1, 2.48 ERA
Wednesday – Carlos Zambrano (MIA) 5-9, 4.54 ERA vs. Ben Sheets (ATL) 3-0, 0.50 ERA
Thursday – Nate Eovaldi (MIA) 2-6, 3.94 ERA vs. Mike Minor (ATL) 6-7, 5.18 ERA
Outside the Redzone gives you Breaking Sports News, Opinion and Analysis with a Southeastern Feel and be sure to “Like” us on Facebook!
