Miami @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2013 ) Miami 4, Atlanta 9

The Atlanta Braves have handled just about everything thrown their way at home this season, but they have yet to run across Jose Fernandez. That changes Friday, when the Miami Marlins’ talented rookie faces the National League East-leading Braves in the opener of a three-game series. Fernandez, who is a strong candidate to become NL Rookie of the Year, has won five straight decisions entering his first career matchup against the Braves.

Atlanta swept a three-game home series from Cleveland, limiting the Indians to three runs in the process. The Braves are a major league-leading 47-18 at home and have won 16 of their last 19 contests at Turner Field. Starting pitching has set the tone for Atlanta as its rotation has posted 17 quality starts in the last 23 games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (10-5, 2.30 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (10-7, 3.08)

Fernandez’s name is sprinkled across the NL leaderboard as he ranks third in ERA and WHIP (1.002), fourth in homers per nine innings (0.472) and 10th in strikeouts (165). The 21-year-old has dominated in five August starts, going 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 33 innings. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last eight outings, going 5-0 with at least eight strikeouts in five contests.

Teheran has lost two of his last three starts, allowing four runs in six innings against both the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. The 22-year-old has struggled a bit with his control, walking 13 hitters in his last 29 innings after issuing 13 free passes in his previous 63 frames. Teheran is 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA in two starts against the Marlins this season, settling for a no-decision in Atlanta on July 4 before winning in Miami five days later.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta LF Justin Upton left Thursday’s game after being hit on the left hand with a pitch. X-rays taken at the stadium were negative and the team diagnosed the injury as a bruise.

2. The Marlins, who just were swept by Washington, have lost eight of their last nine games.

3. Atlanta RHP Craig Kimbrel leads the majors with 43 saves and has converted 33 consecutive opportunities, a team record.

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Braves 1