The National League East leading Atlanta Braves (52-38) will go for a sweep of the last place Miami Marlins (32-57) today at Marlins Park in an early 12:40 p.m. game. The Marlins' attempt to salvage this series can be live streamed here; Braves fans can listen to the game on 93.7 FM, while Marlins fans can do the same on 104.3 FM.
The Braves have gotten some production out of Justin Upton lately, who seems to be emerging from a two-month long slump after belting 12 home runs in the first month of the year. In the first two games of this three-game set Upton has feasted on Marlins pitching, cranking four doubles and a home run while driving in five RBI.
"(Justin's) starting to swing it like he did early in the season," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Upton tends to perform this way against the Marlins. In his last 22 games against them Upton has batted .400 with five home runs, nine doubles, two triples and 21 RBI.
He will try to stay hot against Marlins youngster Jacob Turner (2-1, 2.30 ERA), who was a hot prospect for Detroit who struggled at the big league level before getting traded to Miami. This year he has pitched well, striking out 30 batters in 47 innings while walking 13. He is coming off a loss in his most recent start, though, and rebounding against the Braves could prove difficult.
"I wish I would have pitched a little better and pitched a little deeper into the game," Turner said.
The Braves counter with Paul Maholm (9-7, 3.81 ERA) who will look to earn his tenth win against a fairly weak Marlins lineup that desperately needs outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to step up and carry the batting order. In his last 10 games Stanton is just 5-for-35, striking out 13 times and only recording one extra-base hit.
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