Worst loss of the season. That is what last night’s game felt like. For whatever reason, the Marlin franchise continues to struggle against the Atlanta Braves. The team got shutout on a brilliant performance by Tim Hudson and the Braves offense score eleven runs on the back of their star second baseman, Dan Uggla.

Marlins fans, remember, that was only one game, and the Marlins still have a good shot to claim this series. The second game of the three game series will take place tonight. Lets hope the Marlins can reverse their fortunes tonight and get back to their winning ways!

Stadium: Marlins Park

Five-year Run PF*: N/A
Five-year HR PF*: N/A
Stadium Dimensions:
Left field line—340 ft.
Left-center field—384 ft.
Center field—416 ft.
Right-center field—392 ft.
Right field line—335 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Head to Head

Lately, Josh Johnson has been pitching much better for the Marlins. The Miami right-hander is 3-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last five starts after allowing three runs in six innings of a 5-3 victory over Washington last Wednesday. Johnson has always pitched quite well against the Atlanta Braves lineup, with a career 2.29 ERA in 15 starts and 1 relief appearance against the Marlins NL East rival. JJ has been able to throw 63 1-3 innings this season, after just throwing 60 1-3 innings last season. JJ also appears to be getting stronger with each start. “I’m still having some ups and downs, but I’m a little more comfortable each time out. It seems like consistency still isn’t there, but it is coming,” Johnson told the Marlins official website. The two Braves hitters with the most experience against Johnson have not boasted much success, as Brian McCann and Martin Prado are a combined 9-for-51 against the Marlins ace in their careers.

Randall Delgado has scuffled in his last three starts, giving up 11 runs on 16 hits and 11 walks in 14 2/3 innings. Delgado’s spot in the rotation was pushed back, and the young right handed hurler will be pitching on seven days rest. Delgado went 0-5 with a 4.58 ERA in his previous seven starts before allowing three runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-4 win over St. Louis on May 29, ending Atlanta’s long losing streak.  Delgado has had some success against the Marlins in his young career, as he is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in two career starts versus the Marlins. The Marlins are going to need to reverse their fortunes against Delgado in order to have a chance win this game.

Marlins Projected Lineup

With the bottom of the Marlins order still struggling to provide any spark to the Marlins offense, there is a possibility that Ozzie Guillen makes some changes in the lineup tonight. One of Chris Coghlan or Bryan Petersen will be in the lineup, as the Marlins do not have any other options to deploy in center. In left field, Ozzie has the options of playing Greg Dobbs or Justin Ruggiano. Both can possibly provide the Marlins with better production then the Marlins have been getting from their current core at the bottom of the lineup.

Jose Reyes singled Tuesday to extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .371 during his impressive hitting streak. The Marlins need him and Omar Infante to reach base for Hanley Ramirez, Giancarlo Stanton, and Logan Morrison to drive them in. Reyes and Ramirez have never faced Delgado, Omar Infante is 3-for-6, and Morrison and Stanton are a combined o-for-4. The Marlins offense will go as far as these four hitters carry the Marlins.

Bold Prediction:

Josh Johnson will only continue to pitch better for the Miami Marlins and carry his team to a victory. The Marlins offense will have trouble scoring runs, again, as Delgado will pitch an impressive game to counter Johnson. The Marlins will win the game 2-0, with Giancarlo Stanton going deep once again for the Marlins. Josh Johnson will go eight innings for the Marlins, throwing his best game of the season. He will once again become that “stopper,” that Marlins fans have grown accustomed to him being.