Miami Marlins Game Preview: Marlins @ Braves

After just their second win of the season, the Miami Marlins sit in prime position to collect their first series win of the season. The Miami Marlins offense was able to come to life on Tuesday night, scoring 3 times in the first inning, en route to an 8-2 win.

In the Marlins two wins this season, they have scored 18 runs. In their 6 losses, the team has scored just 11 runs. It’s obvious the Marlins need their offense to get going to stay in the win column.

Tonight will be no different, as the Marlins will send Dan Haren out for his second start of the season. Last Friday, Haren had to feel good about collecting his first victory as a Marlin, as he left with an 8-1 lead after six innings. Haren allowed just one run on 4 hits, didn’t walk a hitter, and struck out 2 in his six innings of work. The lone run he allowed was a home run Kevin Kiermaier in the fourth inning.

While Haren’s 1.50 ERA looked nice on the surface, the rest of his peripherals pointed to a more ugly 4.47 FIP, as he had a highly unsustainable 100% left on base rate and held his opponents to a .176 BABIP. Hopefully not today, but regression should be coming.

The Braves will counter the 35-year old Marlin with a 35-year older themselves. Left hander Eric Stultz will be on the mound for the Braves, making his second start of the season. Stultz has a 5.40 ERA in 5 innings of work this season, but a further look at this numbers show he struggled much more than that in his first start of the season.

More from Marlin Maniac

Stultz owns a 7.57 FIP, as he allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking 1 against the New York Mets. Stultz allowed 2 home runs in that start, one more than the Marlins have this season.

This one has the potential of turning into a high scoring affair if both offenses swing the bats well and the pitchers are not 100% on their games.

Here’s the lineup manager Mike Redmond will send out to face the left hander:

Dee Gordon, 2B
Ichiro Suzuki, LF?
Giancarlo Stanton, RF
Martin Prado, 2B
Michael Morse, 1B
Marcell Ozuna, CF
J.T. Realmuto, C
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Dan Haren, P

Christian Yelich misses his second consecutive game with his back injury he sustained earlier this week, on a diving catch that saved two runs. His absence from the lineup did not hurt the Marlins on Tuesday, but they cannot afford to be without his services for an extended period.

J.T. Realmuto is in the lineup and will make his 2015 debut. The rookie catcher should be facing all the left-handed pitchers until backup catcher Jeff Mathis returns, but could also take over if Jarrod Saltalamacchia continues to struggle.

After a hot start to the year, last season, Salty has not been the same hitter since he sustained a concussion in June?

You have to wonder if that concussion has slowed Salty down or if he’s just lost it. He’s posted a .091/.200/.273 slash line in 25 plate appearances this season, hitting the Miami Marlins lone home run of the season.

Here’s the lineup Dan Haren will face tonight:

Cameron Maybin, CF
Phil Gosselin, 3B
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Christian Bethancourt, C
Kelly Johnson, RF
Johnny Gomes, LF
Jace Peterson, 2B
Andrelton Simmons
Eric Stultz, P

The Miami Marlins will face a familiar name leading off, in former Marlin Cameron Maybin. Freddie Freeman is having a better 2015 compared to 2014 vs the Marlins and is the most dangerous bat in Fredi Gonzalez’s lineup.

A win tonight would ensure the Marlins their first series win of the season and get their 10-game road trip started on the right foot. The Miami Marlins will travel to New York to face the Mets tomorrow, the beginning of a 4-game series with the Mets. The Mets could be without David Wright for that series.

Next: Stanton, Koehler Lead Marlins to Win

Home/Marlins News

Miami Marlins Game Preview: Marlins @ Braves 12:10 PM EST

By Ehsan Kassim | Apr 15, 2015

More from Marlin Maniac