Atlanta @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2011 ) Florida 1, Atlanta 4

THE STORY: Florida will try to play the role of spoiler when the Braves come to Miami for a three-game series. Atlanta went 3-3 on its recently completed homestand, but has lost 11 of 17 games and is struggling to clinch the NL wild-card spot. Florida, which lost two of three last week in Atlanta, is 4-11 against the Braves this season.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET. SPSO (Atlanta), FSFL (Florida)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (5-2, 4.11) vs. Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (10-11, 4.42)

Minor has started to blossom into the starter the Braves expected him to become when they drafted him in the first round in 2009. Since being recalled in August and given a spot in the rotation, Minor is 4-0 with three no-decisions. His ERA since the All-Star break is 3.69. He allowed only one run in 5 2/3 innings against the Marlins in his last start, a game the Braves eventually won 7-1. That was his first career appearance against Florida. Nolasco continues to be a solid member of the Florida rotation, an innings-eater who generally keeps the club in the game. He’s 1-3 over his last six starts, including a loss to the Braves in his most recent outing when he allowed four runs in seven innings. Nolasco’s ERA is 5.70 since the All-Star break, but that number is skewed by a game against Colorado in which he allowed 11 runs. He’s 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts against Atlanta this season and is 5-7 with a 4.76 ERA in 19 career appearances against the Braves.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (87-66): Michael Bourn went 8-for-28 on the six-game homestand, while Alex Gonzalez was 11-for-23 with two home runs. Brian McCann has hit safely in six of his last seven games. Seemingly untouchable relievers Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel both allowed runs Sunday in a 7-5 loss to the Mets. Venters, who hadn’t pitched since Sept. 14, allowed two hits, three walks and two runs. Kimbrel gave up his first home run since May 27.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (69-84): Omar Infante’s eight-game hitting streak ended Sunday; Infante was 10-for-34 during that stretch, all coming on the road. Gaby Sanchez hit his 19th home run Sunday, his first long ball since Sept. 3. Brett Hayes hit his first homer since July 1. Burke Badenhop had allowed four runs, three hits and two walks in his last four appearances that covered 1 2/3 innings, but pitched a perfect frame in Sunday's loss to Washington.

FINAL PITCH: Florida’s Josh Johnson will throw another side session Monday, with the goal to pitch a simulated game during the last week of the season. Johnson has been sidelined since May 16 because of inflammation in his right shoulder.