Miami @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2013 ) Miami 3, Atlanta 11

Donovan Solano looks to play his way back into the Miami Marlins’ lineup, but with the way the team has played of late, it might be hard to convince manager Mike Redmond to make a change. The Marlins visit the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for the middle contest of a three-game set having won 16 of their last 27 contests following a loss in Tuesday’s series opener. Solano began the season as Miami's starting second baseman, went on the disabled list with a strained left intercostal muscle on May 7 and was promoted from Triple-A New Orleans on Monday.

National League East-leading Atlanta has spent 92 days in first place, tops of any team in baseball, despite an offense that has sputtered at times over the season’s first three months. There were no troubles in the series opener, as the Braves pounded out 16 hits and finished 8-for-22 with runners in scoring position. Atlanta has won all four matchups with Miami this season, outscoring the Marlins 24-5.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 3.93 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (8-3, 2.98)

Nolasco has won once in his last seven starts despite posting a 3.89 ERA but was reached for six runs (five earned) on 11 hits over five innings in a loss to San Diego on Friday. His teammates have provided him with very little support, scoring two runs or fewer in 11 of his 17 outings. Nolasco is 5-10 with a 5.26 ERA in 23 career appearances (22 starts) against Atlanta.

Minor was 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in June after going 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA in the season’s first two months. He beat the Marlins on April 10 by allowing five hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Minor yielded three runs on nine hits in six frames last Wednesday in a no-decision at Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta C Brian McCann is hitting .345 lifetime against Nolasco with seven home runs and 22 RBIs.

2. Nolasco struck out a team-record 16 hitters in a victory at Atlanta on Sept. 30, 2009.

3. Atlanta rookie C Evan Gattis (right oblique strain), who leads the majors with four pinch-hit homers, likely will not be activated from the disabled list until after the All-Star break.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 2