One day after sending their RBI leader, C/1B Liam Hicks, upstate to Tampa Bay, the Miami Marlins face the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves in a key three-game series on Tuesday in Atlanta. 

The Marlins lost five of their first seven matchups against the Braves, but both series came before June, when the Fightin’ Fish turned the corner towards contention. 

The Marlins turn to RHP Ryan Gusto for the series opener. He struggled in his last start, surrendering a season-high six earned runs on a career-high-tying nine hits (one home run), with three strikeouts over five innings in a no-decision on July 29. Interestingly enough, the Marlins went on to rally to an 8-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Gusto has made two career starts against the Braves and has lost both times, with a 11.17 ERA across 9.2 innings. This would be his first start against Atlanta in 2026.

Gusto has a 5.45 ERA in 10 appearances against National League opponents and a 6.23 ERA through seven road outings so far this season. 

After their flurry of trades on Monday, the Marlins added reliever Victor Vodnik to the active roster, called up Agustin Ramirez from Triple-A Jacksonville and reinstated Josh Ekness from the 60-day injured list. Dax Fulton and Jack Ralston have been sent down to Triple-A Jacksonville. 

Vodnik joins the Marlins bullpen after racking up 152 strikeouts in 155 career appearances over four-plus seasons with the Colorado Rockies. The 26-year-old now leads the Marlins bullpen in average fastball velocity (98.6 MPH), per Baseball Savant. 

While not in the starting lineup on Tuesday, the Marlins are hoping Ramirez returns to his 2025 form in which he paced NL rookies with 33 doubles and 21 home runs. During his time at Triple-A Jacksonville, Ramirez hit 14 doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI in 59 games with the Jumbo Shrimp. Behind the plate, he caught 13 base stealers in 95 attempts. 

The Marlins continue to lead MLB in multi-stolen base games with 36 this season. They are also second behind the Washington Nationals with 124 stolen bases. Miami is the only team with four players with 15-or-more steals: Esteury Ruiz (27), Otto Lopez (23), Jakob Marsee (19), and Xavier Edwards (18). 

Cam Cannarella (No. 6) leads the Marlins farm system with a 1.006 OPS so far this season. 

Brandon Compton (No. 10) owns a 21-game on-base streak and a nine-game hitting streak entering Tuesday.

Starlyn Caba (No. 5) leads High-A Beloit with 39 RBI, a .390 OBP, and a .759 OPS.

PJ Morlando (No. 26) enters Tuesday with a six-game hitting streak and a 14-game on-base streak.