In the last of a three-game series between the Atlanta Braves (6-2) and the Miami Marlins (6-2) at Turner Field, Eric Stults (0-0, 5.40 ERA) and Dan Haren (0-0, 1.50 ERA) take the mound. The Marlins won the last game 8-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 12:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Apr. 15 and will air on FSN-FL and SPSO.
Stults is 2-3 with a 5.29 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 12 walks against the Marlins in his career. Freddie Freeman (.250 ) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Braves, Haren is 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 45 strikeouts and 14 walks. Dee Gordon (.364 ) has been doing well to start the season for the Marlins, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one RBI, and two stolen bases.
Atlanta is a slight -102 underdog in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Braves have had an impressive start to its season, earning a record of 4-0 as the underdog and with an overall money line of +564. They have a 6-1 SU record in division games, but have gone 4-0 as the underdog. The Braves have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire NL, averaging 4.6 runs per game. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the NL with an average of only 6.4 strikeouts per game. As for the pitching staff, the Braves lead the NL in ERA with a 1.86 team average. The Braves are second in the NL in hits allowed with just 6.4 per game.
On the other side, the Marlins have a record of 1-5 when they are favored and are -638 overall with the money line. Divisional rivals have been able to handle Miami with ease. Over the past 10 matchups, they have not won a game and have a 0-3 record when they were the favorite. When it comes to scoring, the Marlins haven’t performed as well against teams from the NL East. During those games, they averaged one runs per game, below their 2.9 runs per game season average. Miami is a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in the MLB with eight stolen bases. Miami’s pitching staff tends to perform well when they play division rivals. They’ve allowed an average of 4.8 runs per game against teams from the NL East, lower than their season average of 5.4.
In their previous five games this season, the Braves have a 4-1 record. The Braves will take on a right-hander (Haren) in this game and have a 5-1 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Atlanta is 3-1, while Miami is 1-3.
The Braves managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Marlins who are coming in with a 2-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Marlins are 0-4. The Braves have a 1-2 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 30th in home runs, Miami has hit one this season. Atlanta ranks 17th with six home runs.
Ranking 12th, Miami is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 6.86 per game. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.29.
Ranking 24th, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.603). Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .712.
The Marlins are 2-3 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Braves are 1-1 when they allow at least one homer.
