Miami @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2012 ) Miami 0, Atlanta 3

Most of the Miami Marlins will be happy to not face Atlanta after Thursday until 2013. The Marlins have lost 13 of 17 games to the postseason-bound Braves this season. Jose Reyes, one of few bright spots in a season full of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations, is hitting .357 (25-for-70) with nine extra base hits. Atlanta, which clinched a playoff spot in Tuesday’s series opener, has won four in a row and nine of its past 11.

Tommy Hanson starts the series finale for Atlanta, and he may be pitching for a spot on the postseason roster after having struggled in the second half. Atlanta became the fifth team to reach 90 victories with Wednesday’s 3-0 win. Miami turns to right-hander Jacob Turner, who is 1-3 in five starts since being traded from Detroit to the Marlins. Miami has dropped six in a row.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jacob Turner (1-3, 4.03 ERA) vs. Braves RH Tommy Hanson (12-9, 4.46).

Turner got hit hard in his last start Friday in New York, allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits in five innings. The 21-year-old made his best start of the season in his previous outing Sept. 14, holding the Reds to two hits in seven shutout innings for his first NL victory. Turner has struck out 20 hitters against just four walks in his five starts with Miami.

Hanson’s sluggish second half (2-4, 5.88 ERA in 11 starts) has been marked by short outings. The right-hander has made it out of the sixth inning just once since early July, and has averaged 5 1/3 innings during four September starts. He gave up five runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings Friday, losing at Philadelphia.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta CF Michael Bourn missed his third consecutive game Wednesday with a jammed left thumb. Bourn’s status remains day-to-day.

2. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton remains sidelined with a sore intercostal muscle. He has not played since Sept. 16.

3. Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel struck out four hitters in the ninth on Wednesday, becoming the first Atlanta pitcher since Mark Wohlers in 1995 to accomplish the feat.