at

 

Nothing has come easily for the Marlins. And if they are to remain in the National League Wild Card race, they're going to have to make up ground in a difficult 10-game, three-city road trip.

The first stop is Atlanta on Friday, when the Marlins bring a two-game losing streak into Turner Field.

 

Frustrated by seeing late-inning leads evaporate on successive nights to the Mets in Miami, the Marlins look to rebound after an off-day on Thursday. The small break comes as at good time, as Florida played on 20 consecutive days.

 

To regroup, the Marlins turn to their ace.

 

Dontrelle Willis will face the Braves for the fifth time this season. Against Atlanta he is 1-1 with a 5.26 ERA, giving up 17 runs (15 earned) in 25 2/3 innings. But in the last meeting, on Aug. 20, Willis beat the Braves, allowing two earned runs -- three total -- in seven innings.

 

Coming off a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Phillies, the Braves' pitchers have been tested of late.

 

Pitching matchup

 

 

 

FLA: LHP Dontrelle Willis (10-11, 3.75)

Because of Thursday's off-day, the Marlins can reshuffle their staff, making Willis available to pitch the series opener with the Braves. The D-Train comes off an impressive three-hit, complete-game shutout over the Phillies. For the season, he has logged 201 1/3 innings. He has 15 career complete games, and this season is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.15 in four starts.

 

 

 

ATL: RHP Lance Cormier (3-4, 4.80)

Cormier tries to make it two straight wins when he takes on the Marlins. In his last start, he struck out a career-high 10 in seven innings during the Braves' 2-1 win over the Cubs. He allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings at Florida on Aug. 20, but got a no-decision in a 5-4 loss.

 

Player to watch

Josh Willingham is on a roll. The rookie belted his 25th homer on Wednesday, and he's now gone deep seven times in his last 18 games. He's had 14 RBIs over that span, three of them in Wednesday's loss.

 

On the Internet

MLB.TV

Gameday Audio

? Gameday

? Official game notes

 

On television

? FSN

 

On radio

? 560 WQAM, 1140 WQBA(Espa?ol)

 

Credit: MLB.com

 

Let's go Marlins. Let this be the start of a long winning streak. :gofishb

GIT R DONE FISH....Lets start a new streak

 

:marlins

I wish to make a plea to the Baseball Gods:

Clear the demons, we must win! All hail the Baseball Gods and may they be with us tonight!

I BELIEVE! :pray .

Believe.

OUR GOAL

 

 

Let's do it. :gofishb

Time to start another streak!

 

GO MARLINS!

LET'S GO FISH!!! Get hot!

Cmon fish, We got this

Willis show them who the ace of this staff is Go Marlins

Damn I have to watch it on Turner South tonight

yay bunt...

Awesome start

woo hoo

That ball was hit ridiculously hard.

Woohoo! Go Hammer

my name is girardi and all i do is bunt. bunt, bunt, bunt. i'm the wannstedt of baseball

Cormier seems hittable early......let's get some more....

Is this guy related to the other Cormier?

Good AB, Willy

Good eye Willy!

2 gone

CODY CODY CODY

YES!!!!!

WOOOOO!!! Sweet