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Marlins still hoping for playoff push, visit Braves

Aug 26, 2008 - 2:10 PM Florida (67-64) at Atlanta (57-74), 7:10 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Time is running out for the Florida Marlins.

Dan Uggla and the Marlins will try to gain ground in the National League East race when they visit the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.

With 31 games left on its schedule, Florida sits in third place in the NL East and trails the division-leading New York Mets by 5 1/2 games.

The Marlins will need Uggla to turn around his recent struggles to have a chance of catching the Mets. Uggla, who leads the club with 71 RBI this season, has driven in just one run over his last 12 games and was given the day off Sunday when Florida defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-2.

The Braves, who have lost 12 of their last 14 contests - including Sunday's 6-3 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals, will send rookie Jair Jurrjens (11-9, 3.28 ERA) to the mound.

The 22-year-old righthander has lost four of his previous five starts. He gave up six runs - four earned - on six hits and three walks over five frames in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Mets.

The Marlins will counter with lefthander Scott Olsen (6-8, 4.11), who has failed to record a win since July 19. Florida went 0-6 when the 24-year-old received the start during that span.