Atlanta Braves at Miami Marlins preview: The Rematch
By Brad Rowland
Atlanta Braves pitcher Alex Wood (40) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Update: The Braves have released the lineup for Tuesday night’s game, and the lineup is substantially weakened by “off days”, especially given the nature of the pitching opponent.
Tonight's lineup at MIA (7:10, SS/680AM/BRN): Heyward 9 Pena 5
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 29, 2014
Freeman 3 Gattis 2 Doumit 7 Simmons 6 Schafer 8 Pastornicky 4 Wood 1
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It has been exactly a week since Jose Fernandez and Alex Wood engaged in a pitcher’s duel for the ages, but on Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins rekindle their season series with the same two pitchers on the hill.
In the first meeting between the two young studs, Fernandez emerged victorious on the strength of an 8-inning, 14-strikeout effort that utterly blanked Atlanta, but Wood wasn’t bad in his own right. The lefty allowed just 1 earned run while racking up 11 strikeouts against just 4 hits, and Wood has been absolutely lights-out this season. Over 35 innings in 5 starts, Wood has a sparkling 1.54 ERA that is supported by a strikeout per inning and only 1.80 walks per 9, and against Miami’s less than stellar offense, he could easily replicate that level of success.
On the flip side, Fernandez has been absurd for the Marlins this season, striking out more than 13 batters per 9 innings with a sub-2.00 ERA after a breakout rookie campaign. The Braves offense has struggled (as much as you can struggle while being near the top of the league in run differential), and in a massive ballpark, facing off with Fernandez is nearly the worst case scenario. Still, Atlanta’s bats have shown some signs of emerging in recent days, and we can hope that it continues here.
Here is a look at the particulars for Tuesday:
Date: April 29, 2014
Start Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV Channel: SportSouth
Radio: 680 AM/106.7 FM (Local in Atlanta), Full list of Local Affiliates
Live Stream: MLB.tv (Click Here, $)
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