The Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves meet Thursday in MLB action from Sun Trust Park. This will be the finale in a four-game series. The Braves took the first two installments, then on Wednesday in game three Atlanta kept it going with a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins took a rough loss 11-0 in the opener of this series on Monday, then fell 7-4 in game two. In Wednesday’s matchup Miami had a 4-0 lead at one point but ultimately lost 6-4. Starter Sandy Alcantara lasted 5.2 innings with two earned, three walks and four hits.
For the starter gig in the Thursday finale the Marlins will send out Braxton Garrett. This year Garrett is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in four games (three starts) with 16 Ks in 19.0 innings. Garrett is 6-10 with a 3.93 career ERA in the MLB over 31 games (29 starts).
Atlanta Braves
Over on the Atlanta side, they scored three runs in the fourth inning Tuesday and notched 10 team hits on the way to the victory. On Wednesday the Braves scored four runs in the eighth inning in the comeback win. Bryce Elder put up 5.1 innings with four earned on five hits and two walks as starter.
Kyle Wright will make the start for Atlanta on Thursday. Over his three starts this year Wright is 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. Wright has a career record of 23-14 with a 4.23 ERA in 54 games (47 starts).
The Marlins are 5-1 in their last six Thursday games and 16-36 in their last 52 versus the NL East. The over is 5-2 in Miami’s last seven Thursday games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 4-1 in their last five Thursday games and 49-19 in the last 68 at home. Atlanta is 95-45 in their last 140 overall.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to try the Marlins in this one. Garrett is rolling along quite well this year so far, and he’s got just two earned on nine hits and two walks across his last two starts in 11.1 innings total. As for Wright, he’s had a few bumps in the road this year and has notched five earned in 10.2 innings over his last two starts. On Wednesday Miami had a rough eighth inning and only notched five team hits but they were still in good shape late in the game. I like the Marlins to stave off the sweep here.