Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves Series Preview

After a series win against the Rockies, the Miami Marlins now welcome a division rival to town for an important 3-game series.

The Miami Marlins picked up a much-needed series win when they took two-of-three from the Rockies after a rough road-trip. Still needing to piece together wins going forward, the Marlins now welcome a familiar face to town in the NL East division rival Atlanta Braves.

The Braves, like the Marlins, have struggled with injuries at times this season. Sitting two games below .500, Atlanta has never quite been able to get things going this season with nothing seeming to go right at times. With a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, the Braves will be coming to Miami motivated after dropping their last two games in Philadelphia, both via a blown save.

The first pitch times and probable pitching matchups for each game of the series can be found below (Games at loanDepot Park, Miami, FL):

Miami Marlins (27-35, 4th in NL East) vs Atlanta Braves (29-31, 3rd in NL East)

Friday, June 11

First Pitch: 7:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: Sandy Alcantara (3-5, 3.30 ERA) vs Charlie Morton (5-2, 4.21 ERA)

Saturday, June 12

First Pitch: 4:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: TBD vs Max Fried (3-3, 4.63 ERA)

Sunday, June 13

First Pitch: 1:10 pm ET

Probable Starters: Pablo Lopez (2-3, 2.76 ERA) vs Drew Smyly (2-3, 5.82 ERA)

Braves Players to Watch

• OF Ronald Acuna Jr (#13) – .278 AVG, 18 HR, 38 RBI, 11 SB
• 2B Ozzie Albies (#1) – .258 AVG, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 6 SB
• 3B Austin Riley (#27) – .300 AVG, 11 HR, 27 RBI

Key to Win Series: Hitting

The Marlins took three-of-four in Atlanta earlier this season outscoring the Braves 31-23 during that span. Miami’s lineup will need to hit to provide their starters with some run support as they are facing a lineup that can get hot at anytime as they rank within the Top 3 in baseball in HRs.

Series Predictions

Offensive MVP: Adam Duvall

Duvall had his no-doubt best series of the season back in mid-April when he faced his former team in Atlanta collecting seven hits, three HRs, and nine RBI’s in four games. Now with a hit in his last four games entering this series, are we in for another big series from the Marlins slugger?

Pitching MVP: Anthony Bender

Bender has not allowed an earned run in 14.1 IP so far this season. It is only a matter of time that the 26-year old reliever is forced into some higher leverage situations, and he may be called on in multiple games here against the Braves.

Bold Prediction: Big Series for Jon Berti

Berti has collected six hits in his last four games. Could he keep the momentum going?