MLB Picks: Atlanta Braves vs. Miami Marlins Odds, Predictions NLDS Game 3 10/8/20

The Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins meet Thursday in MLB Division Series action from Minute Maid Park. 

This will be Game 3 in a best-of-five series between the Braves and the Marlins this week. In the opener on Tuesday, the Braves powered out a 9-5 victory. On Wednesday in Game 2, we had a tense and defense-heavy matchup as the Braves outlasted Miami 2-0 to take a 2-0 lead in the Division Series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place. 

The Braves could only muster four hits to Miami’s three in the Wednesday game, but that was all Atlanta needed to get a win. The only scoreboard damage came on a pair of solo home runs, courtesy of Travis d’Arnaud and Dansby Swanson. Starting pitcher Ian Anderson posted 5.2 innings with three hits, no earned, one walk and eight Ks. 

In the Thursday Game 3 starting role, Atlanta will roll out Kyle Wright. This season over eight starts, Wright went 2-4 with a 5.21 ERA and 30 Ks in 38.0 innings. In his MLB career, Wright is 2-7 with a 6.22 ERA and 53 Ks in 63.2 innings total. 

Over on the Marlins’ side, there wasn’t much offense to be had in the Wednesday game, and no one could make it back around to the plate. Brian Anderson was the only player with an extra-base hit, finishing 1-for-2 with a double. Starting pitcher Pablo Lopez posted three hits in 5.0 innings with two earned, seven strikeouts and two solo homers allowed.

In the Thursday starter slot, Miami will send Sixto Sanchez out to the mound. Across seven starts in 2020, Sanchez went 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 33 Ks in 39.0 innings of work. Sanchez has a no-decision in one postseason start this year, with six strikeouts in 5.0 innings. 

The Braves are 4-0 in the last four playoff games as a favorite and 5-1 in their last is versus the National League East. Atlanta is 8-3 in their last 11 games overall and 5-2 in the last seven playoff games. 

Meanwhile, Miami is 5-2 in their last seven games overall and 17-38 in their last 55 Thursday games. The Marlins are 1-5 in their last six versus he NL East and 5-2 in the last seven games as an underdog.  

PICK: I like the Marlins here. This will be Wright’s first playoffs appearance, and he hasn’t pitched since September 25. Wright did well in that one however, allowing two runs in a career-high 6.2 innings versus the Red Sox in a no-decision. As for Sanchez, he was great in his playoffs debut against the Cubs, holding Chicago scoreless and helping his team move on. Sanchez had mixed results in two games versus the Braves this year, but I like him to have a nice start here and put Miami in a good spot.