Series Preview: Atlanta Braves (17-7) @ Miami Marlins (11-14) (April 29-May 1)

Apr 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons (19) and second baseman Dan Uggla (26) attempt to catch a Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (not pictured) RBI double in the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins are an embarrassing 3-12 against the National League during the 2014 season. Their record is a bit better against their division foes at home, as they went 1-2 against the Washington Nationals last home stand. The team will hope to turn things around, with their ace taking the mound as they host the Atlanta Braves for the first time in the 2014 season.

The Atlanta Braves however have been on fire all season, winning 17 of their first 24 games. This after a Spring that saw them suffer more injuries to their starting pitchers than is imaginable. The Braves now have a 3 and a half game lead on the second place New York Mets. The Marlins trail the Braves by 6 and half games.

In the first matchup between the teams, Jose Fernandez and Alex Wood stole the show in Atlanta. The two combined for 25 strikeouts, with both setting or tying career high marks in strikeouts. The game set an MLB record for most strikeouts (28) without the issuing of a single walk.

Pitching Matchups:

April 29th, 7:10PM EST
Braves: Alex Wood (1.54 ERA, 2.80 FIP)
Marlins: Jose Fernandez (1.99 ERA, 1.50 FIP)

April 30th, 7:10PM EST
Braves: Aaron Harang (0.85 ERA, 2.23 FIP)
Marlins: Nathan Eovaldi (2.87 ERA, 2.16 FIP)

May 1st, 7:10PM EST
Braves: Ervin Santana (1.95 ERA, 1.85 FIP)
Marlins: Henderson Alvarez (2.73 ERA, 3.22 FIP)

Weather:

It looks like a strong chance of one of the games getting rained ou…..Oh, never mind guys, we have this:

Broadcast:

Fox Sports Florida will carry all the games on television, as will Glenn Geffner and the radio crew at 940 WINZ.

Bold Predictions:

I think the Marlins pull this series off, taking two of three from their division rivals. The Jose Fernandez and Nathan Eovaldi games are the ones the Marlins win. They’ll be unable to bring out the brooms, as the Braves will get the better of Henderson Alvarez and the Marlins in the matinee game.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below, and Let’s Go Fish!