Miami Marlins (34-45) vs. Atlanta Braves (38-41)
July 2, 2021 7:20 pm EDT
The Line: Atlanta Braves -160 / Miami Marlins +148; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves meet Friday in MLB action from SunTrust Park. Miami is coming off a series versus the Phillies. The Marlins split the first pair, then in the Thursday rubber match Miami had a rainout and postponement. As for the Braves, they played the Mets this week. Atlanta also split their first pair, then on Thursday the Braves eked out a one-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Miami fell in a tough one 4-3 on Tuesday to the Phillies, but came back for an 11-6 win Wednesday. In the Thursday finale, the Marlins weren’t able to play due to a rainout and the game was postponed.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Marlins will send out Pablo Lopez. This year Lopez is 4-4 with a 2.87 ERA and 94 Ks.
Over on the Braves’ side, they lost to the Mets 4-3 on Tuesday but then cruised to a 20-2 blowout win in game two. On Thursday, Atlanta put up three runs in the first inning during a walk-off 4-3 win. Ian Anderson lasted 7.0 innings with three hits, two walks and two earned.
For the starter position in the Friday matchup, the Braves will go with Drew Smyly. Across his 67.2 innings this year Smyly has 66 hits, 42 runs (36 earned), 15 homers allowed, 23 walks, 57 Ks and a 4.79 ERA.
The Marlins are 20-46 in their last 66 road games versus a lefty starter and 4-10 in their last 14 overall versus a left-handed starter. Miami is 1-4 in the last five in game one of a series and the over is 3-0-1 in the last four Friday games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 5-2 in their last seven at home versus a team with a losing record and 1-4 in their last five in game one of a series. The over is 17-2-2 in Atlanta’s last 21 Friday games and the under is 3-1-1 in their last five in game one of a series.
PICK: I’m going to take the Braves here. Smyly has done pretty well lately with just three earned on 13 hits in his last 16.2 innings of work. He’s coming off 6.0 innings with one earned and three Ks versus the Reds on June 25. Lopez has been solid over his last two starts as well, so this should be a fun matchup.
