The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins clash Friday in game 1 of an MLB series at loanDepot park. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Braves look for another win after winning 6 of their last 8 games. The Braves already clinched the NL East for a sixth straight season. The Braves pitching staff is 7th in ERA (3.92), 14th in WHIP (1.27) and 11th in quality starts (57). The Braves’ offense is 1st in runs per game (5.84), 1st in batting average (.275) and 1st in homers (282). Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with 199 hits and 97 RBI, while Austin Riley and Matt Olson have combined for 313 hits and 216 RBI. Bryce Elder gets the ball, and he is 12-4 with a 3.38 ERA and 120 strikeouts this season. Elder is 1-2 with a 2.83 ERA and 34 strikeouts in his career against the Marlins.

Atlanta Braves Team Facts

• The Braves have won each of their last nine night games against the Marlins following a road win.
• The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last 11 Friday games.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven Friday night games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last three night games at LoanDepot Park.
• The Braves have led after 7 innings in each of their last 11 Friday games.

Miami Marlins Betting Preview

The Marlins need a win after losing 5 of their last 8 games. The Marlins are 0.5 games back in the NL wild card race. The Marlins pitching staff is 16th in ERA (4.21), 16th in WHIP (1.29) and 17th in quality starts (48). The Marlins’ offense is 27th in runs per game (4.03), 10th in batting average (.256) and 24th in homers (147). Luis Arraez leads the Marlins with 191 hits and 64 RBI, while Bryan De La Cruz and Jorge Soler have combined for 247 hits and 144 RBI. Johnny Cueto gets the ball, and he is 1-4 with a 6.15 ERA and 33 strikeouts this season. Cueto is 2-5 with a 3.82 ERA and 52 strikeouts in his career against the Braves.

Miami Marlins Team Facts

• The Marlins have lost each of their last 10 night games against the Braves following a loss.
• The Marlins have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games against National League opponents following a road loss.
• The Marlins have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Marlins have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Marlins’ last 11 games as home underdogs against National League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Miami Marlins rank 28th in the league for walks this season (371).
• The Miami Marlins rank 27th in the league for runs scored this season (593).
• The Atlanta Braves rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (852).
• The Atlanta Braves rank 1st in the league for hits this season (1382).

Randy’s Pick

These are more important games for the Marlins, who need all the wins they can get as they fight with 15 other teams for 3 wild card spots. However, the Braves have owned the Marlins over the years and this isn’t an ideal pitching matchup for the fish. Johnny Cueto is a shell of himself at 37 years old, as he’s allowed 28 earned runs in 41 innings and has given up 12 homers. Not what you want to see when facing the best offense in baseball. I’d assume the Marlins will have a short leash with Cueto, but still. Give me the Braves and the RL for max betting value.