Atlanta @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2012 ) Atlanta 7, Miami 5

Atlanta appears it has learned the painful lesson endured during last September’s collapse. The Braves are 11-5 in September and with 15 games to go hold a 7½ game advantage for the National League's top wild-card spot. Last year, the Braves’ bullpen wore down under a heavy workload, but manager Fredi Gonzalez has spread out innings and appearances more liberally this season to keep his relievers fresher. Closer Craig Kimbrel recorded his 37th save in Monday’s series-opening 7-5 victory at Miami. Atlanta did not have to contend with Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who missed the game with a sore side and may not play in Tuesday’s middle game.

Stanton’s 34 homers rank second in the NL and is one bright light in an otherwise dark season for the Marlins. In its first season in Marlins Park, Miami is averaging 27,425 fans per game, ranking 18th in the majors. The Braves look for trade deadline acquisition Paul Maholm to reverse a bad September in his ninth start for Atlanta. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 10.03 ERA in three starts this month. Miami counters with Nathan Eovaldi, who has lost his past four starts.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta LH Paul Maholm (12-10, 3.90 ERA) vs. Miami RH Nathan Eovaldi (4-12, 4.71)

Maholm pitched great in his first five starts with the Braves, but two of the past three have been lousy. Maholm allowed seven earned runs in two innings against Philadelphia on Sept. 2, and was hit for six earned runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against Milwaukee in his last start Wednesday. The left-hander has walked nine hitters in his past 11 2/3 innings after giving up only seven walks in his first 36 2/3 innings in an Atlanta uniform.

Eovaldi did not fare well his last time out against the Braves, allowing six earned runs on eight hits in only two innings. During his four-game losing streak, Eovaldi has allowed 16 earned runs in 19 innings. He gave up five earned runs on eight hits in four innings his last time out, losing at Philadelphia on Tuesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami rookie CF Gorkys Hernandez fell a homer short of hitting for the cycle Monday. Hernandez came into the game with only 16 hits in 56 games between Pittsburgh and Miami.

2. Atlanta C Brian McCann did not play Monday with tendinitis in his right hamstring. The Braves are hopeful McCann, who has missed three of the past four games, can play Tuesday.

3. Monday’s victory gives the Braves a 10-3 lead in the season series.