Iowa Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 4/12 - Florida Marlins (5-4) @ Atlanta Braves (4-6) - 7:10 ET The Atlanta Braves’ offense is sputtering, and former Florida Marlin Dan Uggla(notes) is in the middle of the slump. In his first game against his former team, Uggla hopes to get his season on track when the Braves open a three-game series versus a Florida club hoping to have Hanley Ramirez(notes) back in its lineup Tuesday night. Excluding an 11-run outburst in its third game, Atlanta (4-6) is averaging 2.3 runs and has scored two or fewer six times. The Braves managed five hits in Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Philadelphia, their fifth defeat in six games. “Obviously, you want to score some runs and win some ballgames, but it’s still early,� manager Fredi Gonzalez said. Gonzalez is in his first season with Atlanta after being fired by the Marlins in June. He was hired just days after Bobby Cox retired and was reunited with Uggla in November when Atlanta acquired the two-time All-Star from Florida (5-4). Uggla had career highs of 33 homers and 105 RBIs last season, and became the first second baseman in major league history to hit 30 home runs four times. Uggla is known for his slow starts - he is a career .243 hitter in April - and he’s batting .158 with a pair of solo homers. He was 0 for 11 in his first series at Turner Field over the weekend. Ramirez, Uggla’s former double-play partner, is also in a bit of a slump, but there’s reason to believe he can get things turned around in this series. Ramirez hasn’t played since leaving Friday’s 4-3 win at Houston with a left leg contusion. The three-time All-Star shortstop was trying to turn a double play when Bill Hall(notes) slid into his leg at second. Prior to Sunday’s 7-1 loss to the Astros, Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said he was “very optimistic� that Ramirez will start this series opener. Ramirez, batting .207 with three doubles and two RBIs, hit .407 with four home runs and drove in 11 in 16 games against Atlanta in 2010. He was 3 for 8 with a solo homer and double against scheduled starter Tommy Hanson(notes) (0-2, 6.00 ERA). After having his season debut cut short by a 55-minute rain delay April 2, Hanson allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings in a 4-2 loss at Milwaukee on Thursday. The right-hander hasn’t been particularly overpowering, striking out three in nine innings. He had an average of 7.68 strikeouts per nine innings a year ago to rank 17th in the NL. Hanson went 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four starts against the Marlins last season. He has allowed two runs or fewer four of the last five times he has faced them. Florida counters with Chris Volstad(notes) (0-0, 1.80), who gave up four runs - one earned - with four hits and four walks over five innings in Wednesday’s 7-4 win over Washington. The right-hander was 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts against Atlanta last season. “We’re pretty familiar with the Braves,� Volstad told the Marlins’ official website. “They have some good left-handed hitters, a good lineup, too. A guy they got, Uggla, we’re familiar with.� The Braves went 11-7 against the Marlins last season, winning seven of nine at Turner Field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridafly Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Ah, you beat me to it. And though their record doesn't show it, I believe the Braves are the first "quality team" we will face this year. Taking 2-3 or better will be huge and a even bigger momentum builder on the road to Philly this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Love Me Some Fish Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I hope Uggla strikes out 3 times in this game. I'm not counting on it, though, with Vols pitching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnellders Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Rivalry games are always fun to look forward to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watertown_kid Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 So I guess JJ will pitch every six days for the entire month. Wouldn't want to overwork a twelve milion dollar pitcher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erick Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 So I guess JJ will pitch every six days for the entire month. Wouldn't want to overwork a twelve milion dollar pitcher. While you're still a troll, I agree with you this time. JJ should start today and Volstad should go on Wednesday; JJ would be going on normal days' rest, and under this scenario, he'd face the Braves tonight and get to face the Phillies on Sunday, as well. So it kinda makes no sense to me, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Hanley is back in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erick Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Best lineup the Marlins have had all year. At least offensively. 1. Coghlan - CF 2. Infante - 2B 3. Hanley - SS 4. Stanton - RF 5. Gaby - 1B 6. Morrison - LF 7. Buck - C 8. Dobbs - 3B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinKidd101 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 I don't want Uggla to get one hit this series nor do I want Fredi to win. SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP :censored Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystikol87 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Best lineup the Marlins have had all year. At least offensively. 1. Coghlan - CF 2. Infante - 2B 3. Hanley - SS 4. Stanton - RF 5. Gaby - 1B 6. Morrison - LF 7. Buck - C 8. Dobbs - 3B I really like it, on paper. And if Infante can be the .290++ version of himself, then I love it. I'd still maybe want to put Morrison 2nd because Hanley/Stanton/Gaby/Buck is a good bit of slugging, but yeah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowa Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 Love that lineup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnellders Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Hopefully Hanley and Stanton will start mashing now they have each other as protection in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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