The Atlanta Braves are hopeful that newly acquired starter Kevin Gausman can continue to build on his last start. If so, the right-hander may be a key piece for the team's success as it heads down the stretch for the playoff drive

Gausman (6-9, 4.27 ERA) will be opposed by Miami Marlins right-hander Jose Urena (3-12, 4.74) in the finale of a four-game series at SunTrust Park. The Braves have won the first three games of the series and lead the season series 11-3.

"I was excited to get him and I thought we had going on was going to be a big plus for him," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "I've always loved his arm. He's been very impressive in his first two starts."

Gausman was acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline to bolster the starting rotation. The right-hander worked exclusively from the stretch in his last start, his first at SunTrust Park, at the suggestion of pitching coach Chuck Hernandez.

"My last bullpen, I was working on staying closed a little longer," Gausman said. "It was just something that felt really good in my bullpen. So, Chuck was like, 'You can pitch out of the stretch the whole game if you want to.' I told him I was going to take it into the game and see how I like it."

Gausman used the technique to limit the hard-hitting Milwaukee Brewers to one run and struck out eight. In his two starts with the Braves, Gausman is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA.

Urena has been the rock in the Miami rotation. He will be making his team-leading 24th start. He has suffered from the lowest run support of any starter in the major leagues at 2.79. Only four starts this season has he left the game with more run support than runs allowed and he has allowed three or fewer runs 12 times. He allowed four runs in five innings in his last start against the New York Mets.

Urena will be making his 14th career appearance and 11th start against the Braves. He has a lifetime record of 2-6 with a 5.91 ERA against Atlanta. He has faced them four times this season, going 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA.

Perhaps Urena will have an answer for Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr., who has hit a leadoff homer in each game in the series. Acuna has homered in five straight games.

The Marlins are waiting to see when third baseman Miguel Rojas can play again. He left with a left ankle contusion in the second game of Monday's double-header and did not play Tuesday.

"It didn't sound like it was overly serious," Miami manager Don Mattingly said. "That doesn't mean it's a one-day thing or something. We'll find out what really happens."

Atlanta learned Tuesday it could still get Brandon McCarthy back by the end of the year. The big right-hander has been on the disabled list since June 28 with a right knee tendinitis. Whatever he decides after testing the knee over the next few weeks, McCarthy has decided to retire at the end of the season.

McCarthy was acquired from the Dodgers in the trade that sent Matt Kemp to Los Angeles. He is 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 15 starts this season. If healthy, McCarthy could provide experience in the rotation or in long relief.