Game Preview: Atlanta Braves vs. Florida Marlins (Game 2)

Saturday, July 24 – 7:10 (SportSouth)
Atlanta Braves (56-40) vs. Florida Marlins (48-48)

Kris Medlen
(3.31 ERA, 3.78 xFIP, 1.75 BB/9, 6.63 K/9, 9 SwStr%)
(Career vs. FLA: 9 G, 1 GS, 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 5 BB, 15 K)
vs.
Anibal Sanchez
(3.62 ERA, 4.49 xFIP, 3.38 BB/9, 6.17 K/9, 8.4 SwStr%)
(Career vs. ATL: 11 GS, 4-6, 4.65 ERA, 29 BB, 43 K)

Braves vs. Sanchez:
Brian McCann: 8-22, 2 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K
Martin Prado: 5-16, RBI, BB
Chipper Jones: 2-11, HR, RBI, 5 BB, 3 K
Nate McLouth: 0-7, 3 BB, 2 K
Eric Hinske: 0-7, 2 K
Melky Cabrera: 3-6, K
Troy Glaus: 0-2, BB
Alex Gonzalez: 0-3
Jason Heyward: 1-3, 2 K

Medlen vs. Marlins:
Chris Coghlan: 2-4, 3 BB, K
Dan Uggla: 2-7, 4 K
Jorge Cantu: 1-6, RBI, K
Hanley Ramirez: 4-6, HR, 2 RBI
Cody Ross: 1-6, 2B, RBI, 2 K
Gaby Sanchez: 0-5
Ronny Paulino: 1-4, K
Mike Stanton: 0-2, K

What to Look For:
How the Braves respond to the toughest loss they’ve had this season. They have the stabilizer on the mound tonight as Medlen returns to the rotation after being skipped last week to limit his innings. Medlen allowed three earned runs in five relief innings between starts and wasn’t sharp, but returning to the rotation should change that. His last start against the Marlins went well, allowing one run in six-plus innings. The Braves need another outing like that tonight.

My Take on the Opposition:
Sanchez’s command continues to be an issue in what will be his first season at over 115 innings thrown. He’s only striking out hitters at a clip of 6.17 K/9 while walking 3.38 BB/9. He has been unlucky with a .326 BABIP and 69.7 LOB%, but he isn’t missing bats and when he doesn’t he gives up hits. Sanchez has had varied results against the Braves in his career, posting a 4.65 ERA in 62 innings. He has faced them twice this season, allowing six runs in 12.1 innings.