The coronavirus-shortened 2020 regular season is essentially one third finished, yet the NL East rival Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins haven’t played yet. That will change on Friday in south Florida as the teams open a three-game set in Miami’s home opener.
The Braves are short favorites on the baseball betting odds and it’s time to find out why.
How to Bet Braves at Marlins MLB Odds & TV Info
Game Details
When: Friday, 7:10 PM ET
Where: Marlins Park
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/gameday audio:
https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
Game Betting Odds
Probable pitchers (away/home):
Kyle Wright/Pablo Lopez
Marlins -1½ | Check the Odds
Braves +1½ | Check the Odds
Total | 8½
Why Bet on Atlanta?
The Braves bring a three-game skid into this one after losing 6-3 at the Yankees on Wednesday. Atlanta is without two of its best players in second baseman Ozzie Albies and outfielder and MVP candidate Ronald Acuna.
Manager Brian Snitker said that that he is not expecting Albies to be ready for activation next week. Snitker said the same of Matt Adams, who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Albies suffered a bone contusion in his right wrist around the end of July and hasn’t made much progress. Acuna has been ruled out through the weekend after being diagnosed with inflammation in his left wrist. The good news is it doesn’t appear he’s dealing with any structural damage. Adams is eligible to come off the IL this weekend, but the 31-year-old hasn’t demonstrated enough progress in his recovery to be activated. Braves catchers are hitting .381 this season, the best mark in the majors. The next closest team’s catchers, the White Sox, are hitting .317. The Braves catchers also lead the majors at the position with a 1.087 OPS. Atlanta has one of the top offenses in the NL despite hitting .171 with a runner on third base and less than two outs. They have 14 strikeouts in these situations. It’s Kyle Wright on the mound for Atlanta – he was originally scheduled to pitch earlier this week at the Yankees but the team went in another direction. Wright (0-2, 6.75) last pitched on Aug. 8 vs. the Phillies, taking the loss after allowing four runs over six innings. All the damage came in the fourth inning, as he gave up a solo homer to J.T. Realmuto and a three-run blast to Jay Bruce. It marked just the second time in seven career starts that he has completed at least five innings. The former top prospect will be looking to take another step forward on Friday.Why Bet on Miami?
Because of the team shutting down for a while, this will be Miami’s home opener. Despite the travel woes, the Marlins have had at least a share of first place in the NL East every day so far this season.
The Marlins have been a huge surprise at 8-4 and come off a wild 14-11 win in 10 innings over Toronto on Wednesday in Buffalo to stop a three-game skid. The Marlins jumped out to an 8-0 lead on Nate Pearson and the sloppy-fielding Blue Jays after two and a half innings, but Jordan Yamamoto gave up two homers, and the bullpen gave up five more over the next six innings, allowing Toronto to tie it. Jesus Aguilar went 3-for-6 with four RBI. He’s been a great pickup for the Marlins thus far while batting .311 with four homers in 12 games. Magneuris Sierra hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning and the Marlins overcame Toronto’s seven home runs. The Marlins became the first National League team ever to win a game while allowing seven homers. Miami has a 5-0 record this season when Sierra is in their starting lineup. Reliever Mike Morin exited Wednesday game with a right elbow injury. He will undergo further evaluation when the team returns to Miami. It’s Pablo Lopez for Miami (1-1, 1.80). Lopez allowed three runs — two earned — over five innings in a loss to the Mets on Sunday. Lopez allowed five hits, but the big damage were the walks. The right-hander walked four, and while he was able to strike out four, the free passes ended up hurting Lopez. Despite his struggle to limit baserunners, Lopez has been a solid performer in the Marlins’ rotation to begin the year. Lopez seeks his first career win vs. Atlanta, a team he is 0-3 with a 3.54 ERA against in five starts. Overall, he has done well at Marlins Park. In his career, he has a 3.51 ERA at home in 100 innings.Expert Prediction
Marlins 4, Braves 3 | Bet on the Game Now!
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