Atlanta Braves at Miami Marlins preview: Can Aaron Harang keep it up?

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Harang (34) celebrates a victory with first baseman Freddie Freeman (right) against the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth inning at Turner Field. The Braves defeated the Reds 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

There haven’t been many days where the 2014 Atlanta Braves are attempting to come back from blow-out defeats, but that is where they find themselves on Wednesday after a 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Jose Fernandez and the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. The series opener went about as poorly as it could go for Atlanta, but on the bright side, the Aaron Harang show will make its triumphant return in the second game of the set.

Harang has been a revelation thus far in his Braves career, posting a 0.85 ERA over 31.2 inning (5 starts) and flirting with a no-hitter on two different occasions. Obviously (and we have been attempting to emphasize this), there is a regression on the way (see Wood, Alex), but against an underwhelming Marlins offense in a big ballpark, the big man could reasonably continue this type of performance for another day.

On the Marlins side, hard-throwing right-hander Nate Eovaldi takes the ball, and he was lights-out against the Braves just a week ago. The 24-year-old threw 6 innings and allowed just 1 unearned run with 7 strikeouts against Atlanta, and his fastball sits in the mid-to-high 90’s, which is a rarity among starting pitchers. His 2.87 ERA this season doesn’t appear to be a fluke (2.19 FIP, 8.62 K/9), and the Braves could have their second straight tough night at the plate.

Here is a look at the particulars for Wednesday:

Date: April 30, 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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