Miami @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2012 ) Miami 3, Atlanta 4

The Atlanta Braves have buried the nightmare of last season’s epic collapse, clinching a National League playoff berth on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer Tuesday night in the series opener against Miami. Now Atlanta likely will look to rest some of its starters at some point during the final week of the regular season. One Braves’ starter who does not want to rest is retiring third baseman Chipper Jones, who tweeted earlier this week he wants to play in every game of Atlanta’s current six-game homestand. Miami has lost seven of its past eight games and has just about locked up the bottom spot in the NL East.

One positive for the Marlins during their disappointing season is a healthy campaign from ace Josh Johnson. The right-hander takes the mound for the middle game of the three-game series. Whether or not he will face a partial lineup from Atlanta remains to be seen. The Braves are now within four games of Washington in the NL East with eight games remaining, and manager Fredi Gonzalez may send out a lineup of regular starters for at least the next game or two.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Josh Johnson (8-13, 3.84 ERA) vs. Braves LH Paul Maholm (12-10, 3.85).

Johnson makes his 31st start of the season and begins the day with 185 1/3 innings pitched. The hard-throwing right-hander has remained healthy one year after making just nine starts with a shoulder injury. Johnson lost Wednesday at home against Atlanta, allowing three earned runs on five hits in six innings.

Maholm has struggled since a strong start with the Braves, going 1-3 with a 5.91 ERA in his past six outings. He pitched well Sept. 18 at Miami, getting a no-decision but allowing just two runs on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta CF Michael Bourn missed his second consecutive game with a jammed left thumb. Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez told reporters Tuesday the team is shooting for Bourn to return Wednesday.

2. Miami also hopes to get an outfielder back. RF Giancarlo Stanton has not played since Sept. 16 with a sore left intercostal muscle, but could make his return Wednesday.

3. Jones went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI Tuesday. The 40-year-old third baseman also tied Roberto Alomar for 57th on the all-time hits list at 2,724 with his ninth-inning double.