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The Miami Marlins will look to make it two-for-two on Saturday as they continue an NL East matchup with the Atlanta Braves at Trust Park. Join us for our MLB odds series, where our prediction and pick will be made.
After finally getting the monkey off their backs and winning their first road game of the 2022 season, the Marlins will try to win a second straight matchup versus the Braves by sending out RHP Elieser Hernandez. Hernandez has a 1-1 record in two starts with a 4.22 ERA to begin 2o22.
As for the Braves, Atlanta will look for a bounce-back performance led by RHP Ian Anderson, who wants nothing more to shrink his swelling 6.48 ERA in this one. The Braves are 7-8 thus far, including a 4-4 record in their home park.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Marlins-Braves MLB odds:
MLB odds: Marlins-Braves Odds
Miami Marlins: +1.5 (-152)
Atlanta Braves: -1.5 (+126)
Over: 7.5 (-118)
Under: 7.5 (-104)
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Why The Marlins Could Cover the Spread
After coming up in defeat by a score of 3-0 in the Peach State, the Marlins will need the bats to wake up in order to get things turned around. Currently, three games below .500 at 5-8, Miami has yet to find an identity in their clubhouse. Only two years removed from a playoff run that saw the Marlins clinch an NL Wild Card Berth in a COVID shortened 2020 season, Miami has not come close to even sniffing that same success.
In order to cover the spread and experience that same winning feeling again, Elieser Hernandez will need to pile on consecutive strong outings after the hard-throwing righty matched a career-high in innings pitched after firing six frames of one-run baseball versus the Phillies where he also struck out five batters. The verdict is still out on whether or not Hernandez can be an effective pitcher at the major league level, but it is surely known that he has the stuff to be electric when he is clicking on all cylinders.
The rest of the pitching staff has been the strongest element of the Miami Marlins roster through their 13 games played, as pitchers have managed to record four quality starts, good for fourth-most in baseball. Not to mention, the Marlins are also ninth in ERA, sixth in WHIP, and seventh in batting average allowed.
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With the offense getting blanked yesterday, which batters will step up in crunch time when Miami needs it the most? Names like Jesus Sanchez could be the answer they're looking for, as the right-fielder has been one of the Marlins' best hitters with his team-leading three home runs and .327 batting average.
So far, Miami has a mark of 7-6 ATS this season.
Why The Braves Could Cover the Spread
Atlanta has. a great chance in covering the spread because of one stat alone: the Braves are 72-36 against the Marlins since 2016. Simply put, Atlanta has dominated Miami in every aspect of the game over the past six years with an abundance of runs scored at the dish and masterful pitching performances that have left the Marlins utterly baffled and confused. The 3-0 victory over Miami gives Atlanta hope that they can go on a winning streak, as the Braves had lost three of four contests prior to Friday night's game.
A great example of Atlanta's tyranny over their division rivals in Friday's win was when newcomer first-baseman Matt Olson spanked a two-run double in what proved to be the game's biggest hit. Impressively enough, it also happened to come against a southpaw reliever, as the left-handed-hitting Olson has so far proved that he is more than capable of filling former Brave Freddie Freeman's shoes. Surprisingly, it was only the third and fourth RBIs on the season for Olson even with a scalding hot batting average of .389. If it wasn't for Olson being arguably the Braves' best hitter, Atlanta's team offense would most likely be much worse than it currently is.
Despite three quality starts from the pitching staff to begin 2022, the Braves have only managed to accumulate a 4.33 team ERA, good for 24th among the 30 MLB teams. This could be a big reason why the World Series defending champs sit at one game below .500, as the arms on your club will most of the time dictate how deep of a run a ball club can make.
RHP Ian Anderson will look to complete back-to-back shutouts on the Marlins, as the righty hurler is 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched versus Miami. After getting shelled in his first outing of the season against the Reds, Anderson rebounded nicely by limiting the Padres to only one run.
In 15 games this season, the Braves are 6-9 ATS.
Final Marlins-Braves Prediction & Pick
Unfortunately for Miami fans, it appears that the Braves are too overpowering for the Marlins in this one. Miami's offense is too up and down, and the Braves are defending champs for a reason. Atlanta by multiple runs is the move in this matchup.
Final Marlins-Braves Prediction & Pick: Braves -1.5 (+125)
