Atlanta Braves-Florida Marlins Series Preview

The next 5 games are an early test for the Florida Marlins can contend in  the NL East. The first game was last night and behind an awful performance by Chris Volstad, the Marlins fell to the Braves 5-0. The second game is tonight with Josh Johnson going for the Marlins against Tim Hudson. The Marlins should be able to take 2 of 3 with the pitching matchups, which are previewed later on.

Florida Marlins @ Atlanta Braves (4-6), April 12-14, Games 10-12

NL East Standings

Tm	W	L	Win%	GB
PHI	7	3	.700	–
FLA	5	5	.500	2.0
WSN	5	5	.500	2.0
ATL	5	6	.455	2.5
NYM	4	6	.400	3.0

Stadium: Turner Field
Five-year Run PF*: 0.98
Five-year HR PF*: 0.98
Stadium Dimensions:
Left Field: 335 ft.
Left-Center: 380
Center Field: 401
Right-Center: 390
Right Field: 330

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Projected Pitching Matchups

April 12: Chris Volstad vs. Tommy Hanson
April 13: Josh Johnson vs. Tim Hudson
April 14: Ricky Nolasco vs. Brandon Beachy

Projected Starting Lineups:

Marlins: 

Chris Coghlan, CF

Omar Infante, 2B

Hanley Ramirez, SS

Mike Stanton, RF

Gaby Sanchez, 1B

Logan Morrison, LF

John Buck, C

Braves:

Martin Prado, LF

Nate McLouth, CF

Chipper Jones, 3B

Brian McCann, C

Dan Uggla, 2B

Jason Heyward, RF

Alex Gonzalez, SS

Freddie Freeman, 1B

 Key Positional Matchup:

2B.

Uggla vs Infante

Hanley Ramirez is back for the Marlins in this series. He and Stanton will play their 3rd game of the season together tonight.

The first games pitching matchup heavily favored the Braves, the rest of the games, the pitching matchups are about as even as possible. JJ and Nolasco hold a slight advantage over their counterparts respectively, but not by much. This series should be an entertaining one and the Marlins after losing the first game need to show that they can beat the Braves and Phillies or we may be in for a long season,