San Diego @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2010 ) Florida 4, San Diego 5

THE STORY: A pair of teams trying to climb out of their divisions' cellars will clash for a three-game series beginning Tuesday at Sun Life Stadium, as the surging Florida Marlins face the slumping San Diego Padres. The Marlins are still in the National League East basement, thanks to a dreadful June, but they're within a half-game of the fourth-place Mets and a game behind the third-place Nationals.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Ch4, Fox Sports Florida

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tim Stauffer (5-6, 2.97 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Anibal Sanchez (6-2, 3.54 ERA).

Stauffer had his streak of three consecutive wins snapped in his last start before the All-Star break, allowing three runs (two earned) over six innings in a 4-1 road loss to the Dodgers on July 10. He did extend his streak of quality starts to seven straight, but he was hurt by a season-high five walks. Stauffer has made only one start and one relief appearance against the Marlins; he is 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 8 1/3 innings. Sanchez is looking for his first win since June 10 against Arizona, despite having allowed two runs or fewer in four of his six starts since then. In his first start since the All-Star break, Sanchez allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings but didn't factor in the decision in a 6-3 road win over the Cubs. In two starts against San Diego — both last season — Sanchez is 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (47-49): Florida has won nine of 10 after a 4-1 triumph over the New York Mets on Monday, and is 15-9 under interim manager Jack McKeon. Hanley Ramirez has sparked the resurgence, hitting .384 (33-for-86) with five home runs and 24 RBIs over his past 23 games. Leadoff man Emilio Bonifacio has been another catalyst — he extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a single Monday.

ABOUT THE PADRES (41-55): The Padres have lost eight of nine after dropping three of four to San Francisco over the weekend, and their suspect offense continues to be the culprit. San Diego ranks last in the National League in runs and has scored one run or fewer in five of its past nine games. To make matters worse, two bats are missing from the lineup, as third baseman Chase Headley has sat two straight games with a strained right calf and Jason Bartlett is on paternity leave.

FINAL PITCH: The one concern with Sanchez this season has been home runs surrendered. He gave up only 10 homers in 195 innings last season but has allowed 12 in 119 1/3 innings this year.