Braves (32-28) @ Marlins (31-27)
Pitchers: Atlanta (Hanson 6-4 2.82 ERA) @ Florida (Hand N/A)
TV: FSFlorida
Time: 7:10 ET
Where: Sun life Stadium Miami Gardens, FL
Preview:
When the Atlanta Braves acquired Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins in the offseason, they had envisioned the power-hitting second baseman adding some pop to the middle of their lineup.
He has not come anywhere close to living up to those expectations.
Returning to Florida for the first time since the trade, Uggla hopes playing in familiar surroundings can help him break out of his season-long slump Tuesday night when the Braves open a three-game series with the Marlins.
Atlanta (32-28) obtained Uggla in November after the two-time All-Star finished with career highs of 33 homers and 105 RBIs in 2010. Uggla became the first second baseman in major league history to hit 30 home runs four times, but he needs to pick it up significantly to reach that mark again.
Uggla's .172 batting average is the lowest among all qualifying players, and he has seven homers and 16 RBIs through 60 games. The slugger had 14 home runs and 35 RBIs through 60 games last year.
The whole season has been a struggle for Uggla, but he is currently mired in one of his worst stretches, going 5 for 60 (.083) with one RBI in his last 18 games.
In his first series against his former team, Uggla went 2 for 12 with a solo homer as the Braves dropped two of three to the Marlins at Turner Field from April 12-14. In 389 career games at Sun Life Stadium, Uggla hit .261 with 77 homers, 75 doubles and 228 RBIs.
"It was nice to get to play them in spring training and in Atlanta," he told the Braves' official website. "Once the games start we will compete and it will feel natural."
Along with Uggla, manager Fredi Gonzalez also makes his return to Florida. Gonzalez, who was hired by the Braves just days after Bobby Cox retired, was fired by the Marlins (31-27) last June.
The Braves arrive in Miami after losing to New York 6-4 on Sunday, their fourth defeat in six games. Atlanta managed 10 hits in losing its final two games in the Mets series, and is batting .237 in its last seven contests.
"In my gut, in my heart, I know we're going to swing the bats," Gonzalez said. "Hopefully soon."
The Braves hope to take advantage of facing Brad Hand, who will be making his major league debut.
The 21-year-old left-hander went 7-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 11 starts for Double-A Jacksonville, striking out 40 and walking 26 in 59 2/3 innings. Hand is making a start for staff ace Josh Johnson (right shoulder inflammation).
Hanley Ramirez, Uggla's former double-play partner, joined Johnson on the disabled list with a strained back prior to Monday's 7-2 loss to Milwaukee.
Monday's defeat extended Florida's season-long losing streak to five games. Mike Stanton was hitless in three at-bats and finished the four-game series against the Brewers 2 for 12 with a solo homer and six strikeouts.
"We have to regroup and go back do what we were doing before this series," manager Edwin Rodriguez said.
It could be tough for the Marlins to get back on track against scheduled starter Tommy Hanson (6-4, 2.82 ERA), who is 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five starts against Florida since the start of last season.
One of Hanson's best starts this year came against the Marlins on April 12, when he gave up four hits and struck out five in seven innings of a 5-0 win.
In Wednesday's 4-3 victory over San Diego, Hanson allowed two runs and three hits in six innings. The right-hander has a major league-best .170 opponents' batting average since April 22.
Pitchers: Atlanta (Hanson 6-4 2.82 ERA) @ Florida (Hand N/A)
TV: FSFlorida
Time: 7:10 ET
Where: Sun life Stadium Miami Gardens, FL
Preview:
When the Atlanta Braves acquired Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins in the offseason, they had envisioned the power-hitting second baseman adding some pop to the middle of their lineup.
He has not come anywhere close to living up to those expectations.
Returning to Florida for the first time since the trade, Uggla hopes playing in familiar surroundings can help him break out of his season-long slump Tuesday night when the Braves open a three-game series with the Marlins.
Atlanta (32-28) obtained Uggla in November after the two-time All-Star finished with career highs of 33 homers and 105 RBIs in 2010. Uggla became the first second baseman in major league history to hit 30 home runs four times, but he needs to pick it up significantly to reach that mark again.
Uggla's .172 batting average is the lowest among all qualifying players, and he has seven homers and 16 RBIs through 60 games. The slugger had 14 home runs and 35 RBIs through 60 games last year.
The whole season has been a struggle for Uggla, but he is currently mired in one of his worst stretches, going 5 for 60 (.083) with one RBI in his last 18 games.
In his first series against his former team, Uggla went 2 for 12 with a solo homer as the Braves dropped two of three to the Marlins at Turner Field from April 12-14. In 389 career games at Sun Life Stadium, Uggla hit .261 with 77 homers, 75 doubles and 228 RBIs.
"It was nice to get to play them in spring training and in Atlanta," he told the Braves' official website. "Once the games start we will compete and it will feel natural."
Along with Uggla, manager Fredi Gonzalez also makes his return to Florida. Gonzalez, who was hired by the Braves just days after Bobby Cox retired, was fired by the Marlins (31-27) last June.
The Braves arrive in Miami after losing to New York 6-4 on Sunday, their fourth defeat in six games. Atlanta managed 10 hits in losing its final two games in the Mets series, and is batting .237 in its last seven contests.
"In my gut, in my heart, I know we're going to swing the bats," Gonzalez said. "Hopefully soon."
The Braves hope to take advantage of facing Brad Hand, who will be making his major league debut.
The 21-year-old left-hander went 7-1 with a 3.53 ERA in 11 starts for Double-A Jacksonville, striking out 40 and walking 26 in 59 2/3 innings. Hand is making a start for staff ace Josh Johnson (right shoulder inflammation).
Hanley Ramirez, Uggla's former double-play partner, joined Johnson on the disabled list with a strained back prior to Monday's 7-2 loss to Milwaukee.
Monday's defeat extended Florida's season-long losing streak to five games. Mike Stanton was hitless in three at-bats and finished the four-game series against the Brewers 2 for 12 with a solo homer and six strikeouts.
"We have to regroup and go back do what we were doing before this series," manager Edwin Rodriguez said.
It could be tough for the Marlins to get back on track against scheduled starter Tommy Hanson (6-4, 2.82 ERA), who is 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five starts against Florida since the start of last season.
One of Hanson's best starts this year came against the Marlins on April 12, when he gave up four hits and struck out five in seven innings of a 5-0 win.
In Wednesday's 4-3 victory over San Diego, Hanson allowed two runs and three hits in six innings. The right-hander has a major league-best .170 opponents' batting average since April 22.
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