Atlanta @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) Atlanta 2, Miami 0

Justin Upton has made quite a splash in his first week with Atlanta. As the Braves play the middle game of a three-game series Tuesday at Miami against the Marlins, the 25-year-old Upton is hitting .423 with six homers after seven games. But not all of the cogs are clicking in the Braves’ lineup despite a 6-1 start, including Monday's 2-0 victory. Upton’s brother B.J. Upton is hitting .120, and Jason Heyward is at .083.

The Uptons and Heyward have protection in the lineup, which Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton cannot say. The Marlins’ right fielder is hitting .174 with 11 strikeouts in 23 at-bats. Stanton is by far the Marlins’ most feared offensive weapon, but already has experienced two three-strikeout games. Miami has hit two home runs - none by Stanton.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), Fox Sports Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wade LeBlanc (0-1, 3.60).

Atlanta lost a Kris Medlen start Thursday for the first time since 2010, falling to Philadelphia 2-0. Medlen pitched well after a shaky first two innings, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings. Medlen dazzled the Marlins last season going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 24 innings.

LeBlanc did his part in his season debut Thursday, holding the Nationals to two earned runs on five hits in five innings. He threw 58 of his 93 pitches for strikes. The left-hander made nine starts for Miami last season, including two against the Braves in which he gave up 11 runs on 16 hits in 11 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta INF Blake DeWitt, called up from Triple-A Gwinnett when Freddie Freeman went on the disabled list, is 5-for-8 with a double and a homer lifetime off LeBlanc.

2. Miami P Nathan Eovaldi is close to resuming his throwing program. Eovaldi landed on the disabled list March 31 with right shoulder inflammation.

3. The Marlins have scored 14 runs in seven games and have been shut out three times.

PREDICTION: Braves 3, Marlins 1