The Atlanta Braves (100-59) take one of the most productive offenses in MLB on the road to face the Miami Marlins (67-92) at loanDepot park on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Braves are coming off a three-game sweep of the Mets, taking the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Truist Park. Matt Olson was 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs, walking twice. Dansby Swanson added a solo home run. The Marlins are back home after a productive six-game road trip (4-2). They won three of four against the Brewers in their last series, taking the finale 4-3 on Sunday at American Family Field. Joey Wendle went 3 for 5 with one RBI. Peyton Burdick added one RBI on one hit.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Braves have won 12 of 16 in the season series between the NL East rivals, including a 7-1 victory in their most recent meeting on September 4 at Truist Park. Starter Max Fried threw five scoreless, no-hit innings – striking out six – for the win.
ON THE MOUND
Bryce Elder (2-3, 2.76 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Atlanta. The RHP had a complete game shutout in his last start in an 8-0 road victory over the Nationals on September 26. He gave up only six hits, striking out six and walking one en route to the win. Over three previous starts against the Marlins this season, Elder has allowed only three earned runs over 17.2 innings (0-1, 1.53). He has struck out 20 and walked 11.Southpaw Jesus Luzardo (3-7, 3.53 ERA) gets the start for Miami. He has made two appearances against the Braves this season, both starts, giving up five runs over 10 innings (1-1, 4.50) with 14 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on Wednesday, Luzardo took a no-decision on the road against the Mets. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two in the 5-4 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Atlanta offense is averaging 4.9 runs per game for the season, third best in the league, with a slash line of .253/.317/.444. Austin Riley leads the team in OPS at .885. The third baseman is slashing .276/.351/.535 with 38 home runs, 93 RBIs, and 90 runs over 157 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Luzardo this season, the Braves have a .781 OPS, second highest in MLB. Riley also is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.124 OPS in 143 at-bats. Miami is slashing .229/.293/.361 for the season and averaging 3.6 runs per game, third lowest in MLB. Miguel Rojas leads the team with a .606 OPS. The shortstop has six home runs, 36 RBIs, and 34 runs scored with a slash line of .237/.282/.324. The Fish have a .672 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth lowest in MLB. With a .623 OPS over 348 at-bats, Rojas also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is 45-33 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Miami has gone 32-46 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. Atlanta is 9-1 in the last 10 games between the teams at loanDepot park with an average scoreline of 5.5-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by two games over the Mets. Their magic number to clinch the division is two. The Marlins are fourth in the NL East, 33 games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
