Miami Marlins Preview: Marlins @ Braves Game 2
The Miami Marlins (1-6) face the Atlanta Braves (6-1) today in the second game of a three game series at Turner Field. Seven games into the young year and this is already the fifth game between to the two clubs. The Braves have won every game against the Fish so far this season.
Going into the season season these two teams had very different expectations. The Braves were expected to be bad this year, like very bad. In the off-season they had a frenzy of moves that made it seems like they were in rebuild mode (which they are). They dealt off star players like Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and of course the great Craig Kimbrel. They also got the awful salary of Melvin Upton off the books when they dealt him to San Diego as part of the Kimbrel deal.
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The expectations for the Marlins going in were very different. They had plenty of media people giving them high praise and calling them a World Series bound team. Of course as you’ve read before here at Marlin Maniac many of us didn’t believe in those expectations but we knew this team had borderline playoff potential.
Seven games into the season the Braves and the Marlins are polar opposites. Just like their expectations. Except, they are both playing opposite of their expectations. The Braves look far from a rebuilding team. They are 6-1. Yes, it’s a small sample size but this record is an incredible start for a team with the players on their roster.
The Marlins are playing awful baseball right now. They are 1-6 with their only win coming in a game where they had to comeback after blowing an 8-1 lead. Outside Dee Gordon there are not too many bright spots in the Marlins offense.
Tom Koehler takes the mound for the Marlins today, coming off a solid start which was also against the Braves. He went six inning, giving up five hits and two runs. Which some would consider a typical Koehler start.
The Marlins had a tweak in their lineup yesterday as manager Mike Redmond switched Martin Prado to the clean-up spot to try to get the slow offense rolling. That didn’t do much for the Fish, as Prado recorded only one hit.
The Marlins lineup for today’s game is the same as yesteday’s except Koehler batting ninth, obviously.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Christian Yelich, LF (update 5:00 PM: Yelich has been scratched with back tightness, Ichiro to take his place.)
Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Martin Prado, 3B
Michael Morse, 1B
Marcell Ozuna, CF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Tom Koehler, P
The Braves have set out many different lineups because they have may players platooning such as Chris Johnson and Alberto Callaspo.
The Braves lineup tonight will be the following:
Eric Young, Jr., CF
Alberto Callaspo, 2B
Nick Markakis, RF
Freddie Freeman, 1B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Chris Johnson, 3B
Kelly Johnson, LF
Andrelton Simmons, SS
Trevor Cahill, P
There are multiple tweaks in the Braves lineup compared to yesterday: Pierzynski is replacing Christian Bethancourt, Kelly Johnson is in left which shifts Eric Young, Jr. to center, replacing Cameron Maybin in the lineup.
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