The Atlanta Braves (81-51) and their top lineup are set to host the Miami Marlins (55-75) and Sandy Alcantara, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, at Truist Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.The Marlins are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a tough six-game homestand (1-5). They were just swept in two games against the Rays, dropping the finale 2-1 on Wednesday at loanDepot park for their fourth straight loss. Jon Berti was 2 for 4 with a solo home run. The Braves are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won two of three against the Rockies in their last series, taking the finale 3-0 on Thursday at Truist Park. Austin Riley went 2 for 4 with a solo home run. Michael Harris II added a solo home run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won nine of 13 in the season series between the NL East rivals, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting on August 14 at loanDepot park. Reliever Tyler Matzek was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning, and Kenley Jansen picked up his 27th save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Alcantara (12-6, 2.13 ERA) is set to take the mound for Miami. The RHP leads the NL in ERA. Alcantara went the distance in his last start in a 2-1 road victory over the Dodgers on Saturday. He allowed one run on six hits and struck out 10 en route to the win. Over two previous starts against the Braves this season, Alcantara has allowed only one earned runs over 17 innings (2-0, 0.53). He has struck out 21 and walked two. For Atlanta, right-hander Charlie Morton (6-5, 4.10 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made one prior start against the Marlins this season, giving up three runs over 5.1 innings in a 5-3 road win on May 20. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out five in the win. In his last start on Saturday, Morton took a no-decision on the road against the Cardinals. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out four and walking three in the 6-5 defeat. The RHP ranks fifth in the NL in strikeouts (168).
AT THE PLATE
The Miami offense is averaging 3.6 runs per game for the season, fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .229/.294/.363. Miguel Rojas leads the team in OPS at .601. The shortstop is slashing .230/.277/.324 with six home runs, 31 RBIs, and 32 runs over 113 games. Over the last five games, though, Miami has averaged only 1.6 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.180/.237/.267). Against righties like Morton this season, the Fish have a .680 OPS. Rojas also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .630 OPS in 289 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .253/.317/.443 for the season and averaging 4.9 runs per game, third best in the league. Riley leads the team with a .921 OPS. The third baseman has 33 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 77 runs scored with a slash line of .289/.358/.563. Atlanta is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.227/.272/.387). The Braves have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth highest in MLB. With a .831 OPS over 390 at-bats, Riley also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Miami is 29-37 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.1 runs. Atlanta has gone 44-25 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. Atlanta is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Truist Park with an average scoreline of 5.0-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 28 games behind the division-leading Mets. The Braves are second in the NL East, three games behind the Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (+145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
