2020-10-06 14:08:00 EDT
The Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves meet Tuesday in MLB Postseason Division Series action from Minute Maid Park.
This will be Game 1 in a best-of-five series between the Marlins and Braves this week. Miami is coming out of a set against the Cubs in the Wild Card round, winning both games 5-1 and 2-0. As for the Braves, they won the first two games of their Wild Card series as well, taking out the Reds 1-0 and 5-0 to move on in the playoffs. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place.
The Marlins have been a mixed bag of production at the plate so far in the postseason. Only four players have multiple hits so far, and only two have multiple RBI. Corey Dickerson has one hit (a homer) in seven at-bats over two games, with three RBI and a .143 batting average. Jesus Aguilar is hitting .250 in the postseason in eight at-bats, with two RBI, two hits and a homer. Brian Anderson has been to the plate nine times with four strikeouts and no hits.
In the Tuesday Game 1 starting pitcher role, the Marlins will send out Sandy Alcantara. Over his seven starts this season, Alcantara went 3-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 39 Ks in 42.0 innings. So far this postseason Alcantara is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA and four Ks in 6.2 innings during one start.
Over on the Braves’ side, they’ve got six team RBI through two games in this postseason so far. Marcell Ozuna and Adam Duvall each have two RBI with a homer, their lone hits of the playoffs. Ronald Acuna has been productive at the plate over the last two games, though; he’s hitting .364 in 11 at-bats with an RBI, a steal, four hits and two doubles.
In the Division Series Game 1 starting pitcher role, the Braves will send out Max Fried. In 11 starts this season, Fried went 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 56.0 innings. Fried pitched game one of the Wild Card series for Atlanta, going 7.0 innings with five strikeouts and no earned runs.
The Marlins are 5-0 in their last five playoff games and 5-1 in their last six games overall. Miami is 5-1 in their last six games versus a team with a winning record and 5-2 in their last seven games following a win.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 4-0 in their last four during game one of a series and 5-1 in their last six games following an off day. Atlanta is 4-1 in their last five versus the National League East and 7-3 in their last 10 games overall.
PICK: I’m going to lean Braves here. Fried was firmly in the NL Cy Young Award race this season before his injuries got to him, and he turned in a strong start in Game 1 of the Wild Card series that helped Atlanta move on. Fried will be on short rest if the Braves need him again in this round, so a good outing here is important. As for Miami, they should be in a good spot with pitching as well, but need to show a little more firepower at the plate this postseason.
