Atlanta @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) Atlanta 3, Miami 4

When Kris Medlen joined Atlanta’s rotation and made his first start of the season July 31 against Miami, the Braves hoped the right-hander could provide their starting corps with a boost. Six weeks later, the 26-year-old is the hottest pitcher in baseball and the unquestioned ace of the NL’s wild card leader. Medlen is 7-0 with an 0.86 ERA in nine starts and Atlanta has won his past 20 starts, dating to 2010. The Marlins rallied to win the middle game of the three-game set in 10 innings Tuesday on Jose Reyes’ bloop single.

Reyes has been very difficult on opposing pitchers the past five days, hitting .619 (13-for-21). Josh Johnson takes the mound for Miami looking to shake off a late-season slump. The Marlins have won just seven of their past 19 games and are 10-4 against the Braves this season. Atlanta’s four-game winning streak ended Tuesday, dropping the Braves 5 ½ behind Washington in the NL East and trimming their lead over St. Louis for the top NL wild card spot to 6 1/2 games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Atlanta RH Kris Medlen (8-1, 1.62 ERA) vs. Miami RH Josh Johnson (8-12, 3.81).

Medlen received a no-decision in his last start Friday against Washington, but he keeps dominating opposing hitters. Two starts after a 12-strikeout performance, Medlen fanned 13 Nationals in seven innings, allowing one run on five hits with one walk. Medlen has allowed three earned runs with three walks and 28 strikeouts in his past four starts (30 innings).

Johnson has just one victory since Aug. 3, going 1-5 in his past seven starts. He lost to the Phillies on Wednesday despite allowing just four hits and three earned runs in seven innings. Johnson has walked eight in his past three starts (22 innings). He beat Atlanta with six innings of one-hit ball July 23, walking nobody and striking out nine.

WALK-OFFS

1. Eight of Medlen’s 13 strikeouts Friday were called third strikes, the highest total in a game this season.

2. Johnson is 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 18 career games against Atlanta.

3. Atlanta SS Paul Janish, a defensive stalwart, dislocated his left shoulder diving for Carlos Lee’s infield single in the ninth Tuesday.