The Miami Marlins (17-21, 9-11 home) challenge the Atlanta Braves (18-21, 8-10 away) in the second game of a three-game series this weekend in South Beach. Atlanta opened up the series Friday night with a 5-3 victory to improve to 3-1 against the Marlins this season.
Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. EST inside loneDepot Park in Miami, FL. Atlanta is the betting favorite (-145), and the over-under run total is 7.5 runs.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
The defending World Series champions have struggled out of the gate this year and have not had a winning record at any point during the first month in a half of the season. Atlanta finds itself in a tie for second in the NL East, 7.5 games behind the New York Mets.
Right-hander Kyle Wright (3-2, 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) is the expected pitcher on the mound for Atlanta. Outside of a rough outing against Boston to begin the month, the 26-year-old has pieced together an excellent season. For the year, Wright has tossed 42.0 innings, allowing 13 earned runs on 33 hits and 13 walks, with 50 strikeouts.
Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna have carried the Braves’ offense. Ozuna has eight home runs and 19 runs driven in, while Riley has also swatted eight home runs with 18 RBI. Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to Atlanta’s lineup for the first time this season in Friday’s victory.
The Braves average 4.1 runs per game thanks to an offense that ranks 25th in the MLB with a .224 team batting average. Atlanta ranks 19th in the league with a 3.90 team earned run average.
What to Know – Miami Marlins
Miami’s organizational rebuild continues in 2022, but the Marlins look improved from last year, even if the record doesn’t show it. Miami is four games below .500 and eight games back in the NL East.
The Marlins hand the ball over to righty Elieser Hernandez (2-3, 6.15 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) in Saturday’s showdown. Hernandez has been plagued by the long-ball this year, coughing up ten home runs over 33 innings of work. The 27-year-old has allowed 23 earned runs on 36 hits and 12 walks, with 30 strikeouts.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. continues his torrid start at the plate with seven home runs and 27 RBI. Chisholm Jr. can do it at the plate and on the basepath, adding six stolen bases and scoring a team-high 20 runs. Offseason addition Jorge Soler brings the pop to Miami’s lineup, leading the team with eight home runs.
Miami is 11th in the majors with a .244 team batting average, scoring 4.2 runs per game. The Marlins’ pitching staff features a 3.38 ERA, sixth in the MLB.
The Pick is In
The Braves have had the Marlins’ number this year, winning the last three contests against the fish. Acuna Jr. made an instant impact returning to the top spot in the order last night, and his presence should give a boost to Atlanta’s scoring. The Braves take another from their NL East rival and are one win closer to a winning record.
Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves ML
