MLB Game Preview - Miami at Atlanta

Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:20 PM EDT

The Atlanta Braves will learn whether Julio Teheran has a short memory when they send the veteran right-hander to the mound to start against the visiting Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

Teheran (7-8, 3.71 ERA) will face Miami left-hander Caleb Smith (8-6, 3.63 ERA) in the second game of a three-game series at SunTrust Park.

The Braves won the opener 5-1 on Tuesday behind two home runs from Freddie Freeman, who surpassed the 100-RBI mark for the second time in his career. Atlanta, which is 13-4 against Miami this year, is 5-2 on the current homestand.

Teheran is coming off the shortest start of his career. On Thursday against the New York Mets, he allowed six runs on eight hits (one of them a homer) and three walks in 1 1/3 innings.

"Whenever you have a game like that, you have to look up and accept that it wasn't your day," Teheran said.

Teheran is 9-6 with a 3.60 ERA in 24 career starts against the Marlins. But this year he has been dominant in four starts vs. Miami, going 2-0 with a 0.36 ERA, 22 strikeouts and only six walks in 25 innings.

In his latest start against the Marlins on Aug. 9, Teheran earned a win by pitching seven innings and giving up only one run with seven strikeouts.

Smith looked strong on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his most recent start. He fired five innings and allowed one run on one hit -- a home run -- with three walks and four strikeouts. Smith has held opponents to a .205 average, and he has 131 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings.

"I'm starting to get back into my rhythm," Smith said.

His ratio of 10.56 strikeouts per nine innings is among the best in club history. He ranks second behind Jose Fernandez (12.49 in 2016) and third in average against, trailing Fernandez (.182 in 2013) and Al Leiter (.202 in 1996).

Smith's effort against the Dodgers was a good rebound from his start on Aug. 9, when he allowed six runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings against the Braves. Smith gave up two home runs in the loss, which raised his ERA nearly half a run. He has made four career starts against the Braves, going 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA.

The Braves may have more injury issues with which to deal. Catcher Brian McCann had to leave Tuesday's game in the fourth inning because of left knee soreness.

--Field Level Media