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Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins: A big series for the Braves

The Atlanta Braves are visiting the Miami Marlins tonight at LoanDepot Park.

The Braves need to step up

The Atlanta Braves are third in the NL East with an 83-70 record including 41-37 on the road. After losing three straight games, they won the last two and are coming off a 15-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Braves have a 3.54 ERA, a .237 batting average, a .304 on-base percentage, and 1.21 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Marcell Ozuna is the best player on the team, with 175 hits, 93 runs, and 38 home runs.

Another disappointing season for the Marlins

The Miami Marlins are at the bottom of the NL East with a 56-97 record, including 29-49 at home. They have lost 5 of the last 6 games and are coming off a 20-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miami has a 4.76 ERA, a .254 batting average, a .330 on-base percentage, and 1.37 walks plus hits per inning pitched. Jake Burger is the best player on the team, with 120 hits, 62 runs, and 27 home runs for the season.

Betting Trends

The Marlins are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games overall, and 1-4 SU in their last 5 games against teams from the NL. Miami has played over the total run line in their last 5 games overall and 7 of their last 8 home games against Atlanta but has stayed under in their last 7 overall games against Atlanta. The Braves are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games against Miami, 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against teams from the NL East and 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played on Friday. Atlanta has played over the total run line in 5 of their last 6 games overall and 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the NL.

Prediction and Conclusion

The Atlanta Braves have 55.2% of a chance to make it to the playoffs with 9 games left in the regular season. The good news for them is that they are about to start a series with the Miami Marlins, one of the worst teams in the league. Knowing that the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals, two playoff contenders, are next, this is a series the Braves have to dominate. Winning tonight should not be a problem, given the fact that Atlanta scored 15 and Miami allowed 20 runs in their last games. The Braves will have one of their best pitchers tonight, veteran Charlie Morton, who is 8-8 for the season with a 4.01 ERA, 161 K, 155 IP, and 1.30 WHIP. The Marlins will go with rookie Valente Bellozo, who is 2-4 for the season with a 3.70 ERA, 39 K, 58.1 IP, and 1.29 WHIP. Taking everything into consideration, the Braves will dominate this game and win at the end.