Cincinnati Reds @ Miami Marlins Game Preview: Wednesday, May 15th 7:10 PM EST (Game 40)

May 14, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (left) greets catcher Ryan Hanigan (right) after defeating the Miami Marlins 6-2 at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping the first game of their three game set with the Cincinnati Reds, the Miami Marlins fell to just 1-4 against the Reds in 2013. The teams record fell to 11-28, 17 games below the 500 mark. The Marlins are currently 11 games behind the Atlanta Braves and their shot to make the playoffs are already pretty much shot.

The Marlins will send Alex Sanabia to try and position the team to pick up a series win tomorrow with Jose Fernandez on the mound. The Reds will counter will right hander Mike Leake.

This is potentially a huge game for Sanabia, as the team recently removed Wade LeBlanc from the rotation due to struggles. Sanabia has been a little worse than LeBlanc has been in 2013, so a bad start could catapult Sanabia out of the rotation.

Pitching Matchup:

IPERAFIPRedsDateMarlinsIPERAFIP
41.24.324.29LeakeMay 15Sanabia39.04.855.64

Projected Lineup

LineupPlayer AVG.OBP.SLG %
1Juan Pierre.240.290.279
2Placido Polanco.237.304.274
3Derek Dietrich.400.400.667
4Marcell Ozuna.300.340.444
5Justin Ruggiano.223.309.261
6Greg Dobbs
.202.278.252
7Adeiny Hechavarria.195.255.379
8Rob Brantly.235.316.318

With a Miami Heat game going on at the same time, the crowd at Marlins Park is expected to be very sparse. The Marlins do not have near the firepower that the Heat possess in Lebron James.

Bold Prediction: For the second straight night, the Marlins starting pitching struggles and for the one millionth time this season, the Marlins offense fails to score enough runs to win a game. The Marlins lose 7-1.