The Atlanta Braves (53-27), one of the highest-scoring lineups in MLB, are set to host the Miami Marlins (48-34) at Truist Park on Friday to open a three-game series.
The Marlins are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Red Sox, taking the finale 2-0 on Thursday at Fenway Park for their fifth straight win. Jazz Chisholm Jr. was 1 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Braves are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Twins, taking the finale 3-0 on Wednesday at Truist Park for their fifth straight win. Matt Olson went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double. He drove in two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won six of seven in the season series between the NL East rivals, including a 6-3 victory in their most recent meeting on May 4 at loanDepot Park. Starter Dylan Dodd went six innings for the win, giving up three runs on eight hits, and A.J. Minter earned his seventh save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Bryan Hoeing (1-1, 2.31 ERA) is slated for the start for Miami. The RHP threw five no-hit innings in his last start, a 4-3 road win over the Pirates on Saturday.
He struck out two and walked three in the no-decision. Hoeing has made one previous start against the Braves this season, a 7-4 road loss on April 25. He surrendered four runs on six hits over 3.2 innings, striking out two and walking two.
For Atlanta, righty Michael Soroka (0-1, 8.38 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Marlins. In his last start on June 4, Soroka took a no-decision on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking four in the 8-5 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Miami offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game for the season, the second lowest in the NL, with a slash line of .262/.322/.398. Luis Arraez leads the team in OPS at .929.
The second baseman is slashing .392/.444/.485 with three home runs, 39 RBIs, and 36 runs over 76 games. Against righties like Soroka this season, the Fish have a .701 OPS.
Arraez also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .955 OPS in 227 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .270/.340/.487 for the season and averaging 5.5 runs per game, third-best in MLB.
Five Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.993). The right fielder has 19 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 71 runs scored with a slash line of .331/.408/.585.
The Braves have a .807 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the highest in the league. With a 1.004 OPS over 253 at-bats, Acuna Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is on a seven-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 23-18 in 2023. The Fish have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.2 runs.
Atlanta has won seven in a row in front of their home fans. The Braves are 27-15 at home this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 meetings at Truist Park, Atlanta is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.8-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by six games over the Marlins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
