The Miami Marlins (47-54) and Atlanta Braves (57-44) will open up a four-game National League East series on Monday night at Turner Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:10 ET
Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves
Miami has won two games in a row, including a 5-4 walk-off win over San Diego on Sunday afternoon. “It’s exciting, especially the way we’ve been playing the last five months,” commented Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. The Marlins have traded away a few players recently, but have started to receiving major contributions from leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, who extended his hitting streak to a season-high 16 games. He went 5 for 11 with a home run against the Braves last week. Miami is 5-9 as a road underdog of +125 to +150, while the “over” is 8-6 in that situation.
Marlins starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (9-9, 3.31 ERA) has watched the club drop his last two efforts, as he received just five combined runs of support in those contests. The left-hander is 3-6 with a 4.11 ERA in nine road outings, issuing seven walks and striking out 30 batters in 57 frames. In five career games versus the Braves, Buehrle has compiled a 3-1 record and 3.77 ERA, but didn’t factor into the decision of a 4-3 home loss on July 24.
Atlanta finished off a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, marking the first time the club has swept its rival twice in the same season since 2000. “This was a big, big, big sweep for us,” stated Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. The Braves are now set to try and win five home games in a row for the first time since July 14-15, 2011, which could definitely happen when facing an opponent that has dropped its last five road games. Atlanta is 9-5 as a home favorite of -125 to -150, while the “over” is 8-6 in that situation.
Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson (11-5, 4.39 ERA) has led the team to four consecutive wins, including a 7-1 victory over the Marlins on July 25, giving up one run and three hits over five frames. The right-hander is 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA in nine home games, surrendering seven home runs in 52 combined innings. In 10 career starts versus the Marlins, Hanson has registered a 6-2 record and 2.49 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Braves due to their 4-1 record in Hanson’s last five starts in this series, while the Marlins are 5-11 in Atlanta.
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