Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins 7/2/23

Hot-hitting Ronald Acuna Jr. will be looking to extend his 12-game hitting streak as the Atlanta Braves (55-27) host the Miami Marlins (48-36) at Truist Park on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.

The Braves lead the series 2-0 after winning 7-0 on Saturday, their seventh straight victory overall and fifth in a row head-to-head, including eight of nine games against the Marlins this season. Charlie Morton threw 5.2 scoreless innings for the win.

Austin Riley went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs in the win. Yuli Gurriel was 1 for 3 for the Marlins.

ON THE MOUND

Sandy Alcantara (3-6, 4.82 ERA) is in line for the start for Miami. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 10-1 home win over the Red Sox on Tuesday. He was credited with the win, giving up six hits while striking out five and walking two.

Over two previous starts against the Braves this season, Alcantara has allowed five earned runs over 10.2 innings (0-1, 4.22). He has struck out 11 and walked six. For Atlanta, RHP Spencer Strider (9-2, 3.73 ERA) takes the mound.

He has made one prior start against the Marlins this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over eight innings in an 11-0 home win on April 24. He gave up two hits while striking out 13 in the win. In his last start on Monday, Strider got the win at home against the Twins.

He threw seven innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out 10 and walking two in the 4-1 victory. The RHP leads MLB in strikeouts (146). He also ranks third in the NL in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Miami has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like Strider this season, the Fish have a .701 OPS, third highest in MLB.

Luis Arraez is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .947 OPS in 231 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 7.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.7 for the season, with a stronger slugging percentage (.675 vs .494).

The Braves have a .818 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the highest in MLB. With a .412 OBP over 227 at-bats, Acuna Jr. has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Miami is 23-20 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Atlanta has won nine in a row in front of their home fans.

The Braves are 29-15 at home this season, averaging 5.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games at Truist Park between the NL East rivals, Atlanta is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 7.4-2.3.