Game Preview: Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves (Game 2)
By Editorial Staff
Tuesday, September 28 – 7:10 (SportSouth)
Florida Marlins (77-79) vs. Atlanta Braves (88-69)
Anibal Sanchez
(3.60 ERA, 4.28 xFIP, 3.26 BB/9, 7.11 K/9, 9.1 SwStr%, 45.1 GB%)
(Career vs. ATL: 12 GS, 4-6, 4.50 ERA, 32 BB, 50 K)
vs.
Tim Hudson
(2.80 ERA, 3.83 xFIP, 2.88 BB/9, 5.51 K/9, 7 SwStr%, 64.6 GB%)
(Career vs. FLA: 18 GS, 9-3, 2.91 ERA, 33 BB, 98 K)
Braves vs. Sanchez:
Brian McCann: 9-25, 2 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K
Omar Infante: 3-15, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
Nate McLouth: 0-9, 3 BB, 3 K
Eric Hinske: 0-10, 3 K
Matt Diaz: 2-8, 4 K
Melky Cabrera: 3-6, K
Alex Gonzalez: 1-5, 2B, BB
Jason Heyward: 2-4, 2 BB, 2 K
Rick Ankiel: 2-2, RBI
Derrek Lee: 1-3, HR, RBI, 2 K
Marlins vs. Hudson:
Dan Uggla: 14-40, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 11 K
Chad Tracy: 3-12, 2B, BB, 2 K
Cameron Maybin: 3-9, HR, 2 RBI, BB, 4 K
Gaby Sanchez: 2-10, 2B, K
Wes Helms: 1-7, 2B, BB, 2 K
Emilio Bonifacio: 1-6, RBI, 2 K
Brett Hayes: 1-5, BB, 2 K
Logan Morrison: 0-3, 2 K
What to Watch:
Tim Hudson starting on short rest. He’s at 215 innings coming off Tommy John surgery, and he’s obviously tired, yet this is pretty much the only option. His last start was six runs allowed in 5.2 innings, including six walks, against the Nationals. Aside from his start against the Mets prior to the last one, it has been a rough month for Hudson, and starting him on short rest will only make it worse. Hudson does have good numbers against the Marlins, including seven innings of one-run ball against them in late August.
My Take on the Opposition:
Sanchez continues to look strong in the longest season of his career. He’s currently at 182 innings, where as his previous high was 114. Sanchez is walking fewer and striking out about the same amount, while allowing only eight home runs all season. This could be due to a HR/FB rate of 3.8%, which is about crazy. He’s giving up fewer line drives and getting more grounders. Sanchez has hit a rough patch in his last two starts, allowing nine runs in 10.1 innings to the Cubs and Brewers. He has not fared well against the Braves in his career, but he allowed two runs in six innings earlier this season.