Series Preview: Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves – August 16/18

Atlanta Braves Players to Watch

3B Austin Riley

The 24-year-old third baseman is tied for the team lead with 25 HR’s, while also ranking second among Braves positional players with a 3.3 WAR on the season. Entering play on Sunday, Riley was slashing .300/.321/.480 across his last 12 games, 10 of which he collected at-least one hit.

1B Freddie Freeman

The 2020 NL MVP has regained his MVP form in recent weeks after a rough start to the season, partly due to a phenomenal month of July where Freeman slashed .375/.470/.594 with six HR’s and 15 RBI’s. Freeman did struggle this past week, but did homer in Sunday’s win to pair with a 2-for-3 showing Saturday.

2B Ozzie Albies

Albies leads the Braves in RBI’s, while also on-pace to post a new career-high in HR’s. Now acting as Atlanta’s primary leadoff hitter, Albies entered play Sunday on a four-game HR streak which included seven hits and eight RBI’s during that span.

SS Dansby Swanson

Arguably the hottest hitter in Atlanta’s lineup at the moment is Swanson. Entering play on Sunday, Swanson was slashing .383/.412/.638 across his last 12 games with three HR’s and 11 RBI’s, and also added another HR on Sunday, his fourth in the past three games.

RP Tyler Matzek

Perhaps the most dominant reliever in Atlanta’s bullpen recently has been Matzek, a hard-throwing left-hander primarily used in high-leverage situations. Matzek has not allowed an earned run in his last 16 outings that includes four walks and 18 strikeouts.