Florida @ Baltimore preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2010 ) Florida 10, Baltimore 4

As the Florida Marlins creep up on the .500 mark, they have to like their chances to take another step closer on Wednesday.

Not only are the Marlins facing the lowly Baltimore Orioles, but they are also going against a pitcher that has not won in over two months when their interleague series resumes at Camden Yards.

Winners of three of their last four games, the Marlins are two games under .500 at 34-36. They should really look to take advantage of their next two games with the Orioles - who have the worst record in baseball - because the competition level will rise when the Marlins return home.

The San Diego Padres visit Florida over the weekend before the New York Mets come calling to close out the month. Those two teams are among the best in the National League and are a far cry from where the Orioles are at the moment.

Baltimore has lost three of four and is 4-15 this month.

Brian Matusz will pull double duty today for the Orioles, looking to get himself off a rough streak and get his team a much-needed win.

Matusz (2-7, 4.67 ERA), who was the fourth pick in the 2008 draft, won more games in eight starts in 2009 than he has in 14 this season. After going 5-2 a year ago, he has not won since April 18 this season and has lost his last seven decisions.

The left-hander has made 11 starts since his last win - some good, some bad and some in between - and the Orioles have won just once in that span. Matusz has allowed three runs or fewer in eight starts during his recent victory drought, including his last four outings, but the Orioles have won just one of his starts.

Ricky Nolasco gets the start for the Marlins and will be looking forward to a definite change in competition level.

Nolasco (5-6, 4.90) is 0-2 in his last three starts with a no-decision. Those outings were against the Mets, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers.

Making his third career start against Baltimore, Nolasco is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA against the Orioles.

If recent history is any indication, Nolasco and Florida have a pretty good chance at adding another win. The Marlins are 9-1 in their last 10 games against the Orioles and are 17-5 against them overall.

Florida, which is 6-7 in interleague games this season, won the series opener on Tuesday 10-4. Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez came back from a pair of days off and had three hits and three RBIs.