Spencer Strider will seek to continue his stellar season for the Atlanta Braves (14-8) as they prepare to host the Miami Marlins (12-10), one of the least productive lineups in the league, at Truist Park on Monday for the first of a four-game series. The Marlins are in the midst of a seven-game road trip.
They won two out of three in their last series against the Guardians, dropping the finale 7-4 on Sunday at Progressive Field. Jorge Soler was 3 for 3 with a double and one run. The Braves are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.
They were just swept in three games against the Astros, dropping the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Truist Park for their fourth straight loss. Kevin Pillar went 1 for 3 with a solo home run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Braves dominated the 2022 season series between the NL East rivals (13-6), although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at loanDepot park in October.
ON THE MOUND
Edward Cabrera (1-1, 4.63 ERA) is set to start for Miami. The righty allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 road win over the Giants on Tuesday. He earned the win, giving up six hits while striking out eight and walking two.
Cabrera made one start against the Braves in 2022, a 2-1 road loss on September 3. He surrendered one run on four hits over five innings, striking out seven and walking three. RHP Strider (2-0, 3.38 ERA) gets the ball for Atlanta.
Strider made two appearances against the Marlins in 2022, both in relief, walking two and striking out none over one innings (0-1, 27.00).In his last start on Tuesday, Strider got the win on the road against the Padres. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out nine and walking three in the 8-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Miami offense is averaging 3.3 runs per game for the season, second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .251/.311/.388. Four Marlins hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Luis Arraez (1.090). The third baseman is slashing .444/.506/.583 with one home run, nine RBIs, and eight runs over 20 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Strider this season, the Fish have a .686 OPS. Arraez also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a 1.174 OPS in 56 at-bats.Atlanta is slashing .259/.338/.436 for the season and averaging 4.8 runs per game.
Four Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Sean Murphy (1.032). The first baseman has five home runs, 15 RBIs, and 12 runs scored with a slash line of .250/.416/.617. Atlanta is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.186/.256/.342).
The Braves have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.169 OPS over 52 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is 5-4 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Atlanta has lost three in a row at home. The Braves are 4-6 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.6. Atlanta is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Truist Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.9-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by zero games over the Mets. The Marlins are third in the NL East, two games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
