Atlanta @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2010 ) Atlanta 6, Florida 7

Kris Medlen is returning to the Atlanta Braves’ rotation just in time to help them prevent a rare series loss.

Medlen takes the hill as the NL East-leading Braves continue a three-game series with the red-hot Florida Marlins, who are trying to climb back into the pennant race.

Medlen (6-2, 3.31 ERA) has been the biggest surprise on the overachieving Braves, posting a 5-0 mark with a 3.41 ERA in 11 starts since joining the rotation. He hasn’t started since July 7, however, as the Braves sent him back to the bullpen to preserve his arm for the stretch run.

They hope the extra rest will be beneficial in the long run. Right now, Atlanta needs him to help them avoid losing just their second series since May 10.

The Braves dropped Friday's opener, 7-6. All-Star Brian McCann homered and drove in four runs, but his passed ball allowed the Marlins to tie the game in the ninth and Donnie Murphy’s RBI single later in the frame ended the contest.

Atlanta may be able to rebound with Medlen on the mound, as it is 10-1 in games he’s started this season. In his last start, Medlen allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Medlen was sharp in his lone start against the Marlins, allowing just one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He didn’t receive a decision in Atlanta’s 4-3 win on July 2. Medlen may not find it as easy this time around against Florida, which has won six of seven.

The Marlins hand the ball to Anibal Sanchez (7-6, 3.62), who is winless in his last four starts. The right-hander allowed four runs – two earned – and eight hits in six innings of Florida’s 9-8 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday.

Sanchez is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in two starts against Atlanta this season. Overall, he is 4-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 11 appearances against the Braves.

He allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 6-4 win over Atlanta on May 25. Sanchez and the Marlins (48-48) haven’t been above .500 since June 3.

They will need more production out of Hanley Ramirez to get over that hump. The All-Star shortstop is mired in a 4-for-27 slump and hasn’t had an extra-base hit in 16 games.