Miami @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2012 ) Miami 1, Atlanta 7

Atlanta and Miami moved in opposite directions in the hours leading up to Tuesday’s trade deadline. The streaking Braves acquired help for their starting rotation and bench, while the sinking Marlins traded away more pieces of a team that is nine games below .500. Atlanta won its seventh in a row Tuesday while handing Miami its 10th loss in its past 13 contests. The Braves have won the first two games of the series and are a season-best 15 games above .500.

Miami gives left-hander Wade LeBlanc his first start of the season in the third game of the four-game series. LeBlanc replaces disappointing starter Carlos Zambrano, who has been sent to the bullpen. The Braves counter with Ben Sheets, who has provided three stellar starts in his return to the big leagues.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Miami), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Miami LH Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 1.15 ERA) vs. Atlanta RH Ben Sheets (3-0, 0.50).

LeBlanc started 16 games for Triple-A New Orleans this season, going 5-5 with a 3.74 ERA. He made 52 starts for San Diego from 2008-2011. LeBlanc’s longest relief stint is a three-inning effort July 7 at St. Louis. He tossed one inning of hitless relief in his last appearance Sunday against the Padres.

Sheets allowed his first run in his last start, but didn't surrender another while limiting Phillies to six hits in six innings. Sheets, who missed all of 2009 and 2011 with injuries, has struck out 15 hitters in 18 innings with just five walks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta P Paul Maholm, acquired along with OF Reed Johnson from the Cubs early Tuesday morning, will start Saturday against Houston. Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said Tuesday afternoon Johnson may start for either Jason Heyward or Michael Bourn on Wednesday.

2. Miami shipped P Edward Mujica and former starting 1B Gaby Sanchez out in separate deals on Tuesday.

3. Atlanta P Tommy Hanson, who has struggled with his control recently, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back. Kris Medlen, who started Tuesday’s game, will take Hanson’s place in the rotation.