Ronald Acuna Jr. will be looking to extend his 16-game on-base streak as the Atlanta Braves (17-8) host the Miami Marlins (12-13) at Truist Park on Thursday with the home team in position for a sweep of the four-game series.
The Braves lead the series 3-0 after winning 6-4 on Wednesday. Reliever Michael Tonkin threw 2.2 scoreless innings to get the win, and A.J. Minter picked up his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
Acuna Jr.’s on-base streak is up to 16 games as he went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Ozzie Albies added one run on one hit and two walks. Avisail Garcia was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Marlins.
ON THE MOUND
Braxton Garrett (1-0, 2.84 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Miami. The lefty allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Guardians on Saturday. He earned the win, yielding five hits while striking out three and walking one.
Garrett is making his first appearance against the Braves this season. Over two starts against the Braves in 2022, Garrett was 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings.
He had nine strikeouts and eight walks. For Atlanta, righty Kyle Wright (0-1, 5.93 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins. Wright made two appearances against the Marlins in 2022, both starts, striking out 17 and walking four over 11 innings (2-0, 0.00).
In his last start on Saturday, Wright took the loss at home against the Astros. He threw five innings and gave up four runs (3 ER) on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in the 6-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 3.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.2. Against right-handed pitchers like Wright this season, the Fish have a .668 OPS. Luis Arraez is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a 1.100 OPS in 60 at-bats.
Atlanta is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.2 for the season. The Braves have a .900 OPS against southpaws in 2023, third highest in the league. With a 1.330 OPS over 26 at-bats, Sean Murphy has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 5-7 in 2023. The Fish have scored 3.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.9 runs.
Atlanta has gone 7-6 at their home park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In the last 10 games at Truist Park between the NL East rivals, Atlanta is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.8-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by three games over the Mets. The Marlins are third in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-175)
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