The Braves travel to Miami to take on the Marlins for the final time this season. Therefore, the Braves will be playing their last three games at Dolphin Stadium. Currently called Sun Life Stadium, the arena is not really the most aesthetically pleasing and isn't known for the crowds that it packs. Hopefully for the Marlins, their new retractable roof stadium will help to put some more asses in the seats.

The Braves are in a precarious position in first place of the NL wild card race by 3.5 games and hopefully the Marlins will be what the doctor ordered for Atlanta. After a late game meltdown by the Braves yesterday, the task of maintaining the 3.5 game lead became a bit harder. Jonny Venters issues continued in that he threw nine straight balls during the eighth inning prior to a home run off of Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. One thing that I will be watching closely is to see how the bullpen bounces back.

Chipper Jones has continued to do all that he can to help the Braves win and these rookie pitchers have been all that a Braves fan could ask for. We will be seeing Minor and Delgado on the hump during this series. However, there are a few things off about the current Braves squad that are somewhat disconcerting. Ideally the Braves would strand no runners during the Monday-Wednesday set, as this has been one of the biggest issues of late. The Marlins aren't playing terrific baseball now, though, and Atlanta just took two of three from them at home. They are 12-18 in their last thirty games. Matchups after the jump.

Monday 7:10 PM

Mike Minor

#36 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Dec 26, 1987

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Mike Minor	5-2	13	13	0	0	0	0	72.1	81	34	33	3	26	66	4.11	1.48

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Ricky Nolasco

#47 / Pitcher / Florida Marlins

Height: 6-2

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Dec 13, 1982

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Ricky Nolasco	10-11	31	31	2	1	0	0	197.1	230	105	97	18	42	143	4.42	1.38

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Tuesday 7:10 PM

Randall Delgado

#40 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 09, 1990

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Randall Delgado	0-1	5	5	0	0	0	0	25.0	19	10	9	4	11	17	3.24	1.20

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Anibal Sanchez

#19 / Pitcher / Florida Marlins

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 27, 1984

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Anibal Sanchez	8-8	30	30	3	2	0	0	186.1	177	79	75	19	57	191	3.62	1.26

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Wednesday 7:10 PM

Derek Lowe

#32 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-6

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jun 01, 1973

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Derek Lowe	9-15	32	32	0	0	0	0	176.2	200	102	97	12	68	132	4.94	1.52

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Javier Vazquez

#23 / Pitcher / Florida Marlins

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jul 25, 1976

 

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	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Javier Vazquez	11-11	34	30	1	1	0	0	176.2	171	89	77	20	49	147	3.92	1.25

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