Braves set to begin long road trip in Miami

The Atlanta Braves will hit the road on Friday embarking on a 10-game road trip that will begin in Miami but also includes a western trip with stops in Los Angeles and Arizona. The Braves completed a 3-4 homestand and are 15-16 on the season but just 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East standings. Atlanta is sixth in the National League in runs scored but has struggled to come up with timely hits over the last week. They have gotten some great pitching performances from the likes of Max Fried and Mike Soroka but the bullpen remains a concern as they head out on the road.

Following Thursday’s game, the Braves optioned right-hander Shane Carle to Triple-A Gwinnett but did not announce a corresponding move. Touki Toussaint was also scratched from his scheduled start for Gwinnett on Thursday. There is a chance that Toussaint could return to the active roster as either a long relief option or Friday’s night’s starter, which would give the rest of the rotation an extra day of rest.

The Marlins snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night. They are 9-21 on the season and are already eight games out in the division. Miami dropped two of three games at SunTrust Park back in early April.

Friday, May 3, 7:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South, MLB Network)

Kevin Gausman (2019: 5 GS, 30.0 IP, 27.5 K%, 8.3 BB%, 4.80 ERA, 4.09 FIP, 3.83 xFIP)

Kevin Gausman will be looking to get back on track when he takes the mound for the Braves in the series opener on Friday. Gausman allowed a total of six runs over his first three starts (19 ²⁄₃ innings) but has allowed five earned runs in each of his last two outings. He surrendered five hits, two walks and five runs over five innings in his last start against the Rockies. Gausman faced Miami back in his season debut on April 5 and was in complete control allowing just two hits over seven shutout innings.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Jose Ureña (2019: 6 GS, 33.2 IP, 16.7 K%, 6.0 BB%, 5.08 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 4.29 xFIP)

Jose Ureña will get the start for the Marlins in Friday’s opener which is notable considering he hasn’t faced the Braves since last August when he hit Ronald Acuña Jr. in the elbow and was subsequently suspended. There will be a lot of people watching to see how the Braves handle the situation and whether or not there is any retaliation. Ureña’s overall numbers this season are not good but he has pitched better of late. He allowed just four hits and two runs over seven innings last time out against the Phillies. He has allowed two runs or less in each of his last three starts.

Saturday, May 4, 6:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)

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Mike Soroka (2019: 3 GS, 16.2 IP, 29.6 K%, 8.5 BB%, 1.62 ERA, 2.04 FIP, 2.82 xFIP)

Mike Soroka will make his fourth start of the season on Saturday. The Braves were very cautious with Soroka early on as he worked his way back from shoulder discomfort in spring training. However, he has arrived in the big leagues and has been impressive. Soroka allowed four hits, one run and struck out a season-best eight over six innings in his last start against the Padres.

Trevor Richards (2019: 6 GS, 33.0 IP, 21.7 K%, 12.6 BB%, 4.64 ERA, 5.11 FIP, 5.75 xFIP)

The Marlins will counter with right-hander Trevor Richards in Saturday’s contest. Richards lasted just four innings in his last start allowing six hits, five runs, including a pair of homers, against the Phillies. He has allowed five runs in two of his last three starts.

Sunday, May 5, 1:10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)

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Julio Teheran (2019: 7 GS, 38.2 IP, 26.2 K%, 10.7 BB%, 5.35 ERA, 5.01 FIP, 4.18 xFIP)

Julio Teheran will get the nod for Atlanta in the series finale on Sunday and will also be looking to turn around a tough stretch. Teheran allowed three homers while allowing four runs over seven innings in his last start against the Padres. That was his longest outing of the season. He has allowed 12 runs over his last 17 ²⁄₃ innings. This will be his first start against the Marlins this season.

Pablo Lopez (2019: 6 GS, 24.4 K%, 5.9 BB%, 4.78 ERA, 2.99 FIP, 3.81 xFIP)

Pablo Lopez will take the mound for the Marlins on Sunday. Lopez struggled with his command during his last start against Philadelphia when he allowed three hits, three walks and four runs over 5.2 innings. He faced the Braves back on April 5 and allowed seven hits and four runs including a pair of homers.