Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins Picks and Predictions August 1st 2024

Braves’ Jorge Soler returning to Atlanta to face Marlins

Thursday’s Braves vs. Marlins game has a first pitch set for 7:20 PM ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. The Braves are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -200, while the Marlins are +169 underdogs. The over/under line is currently at 9 runs.

Charlie Morton will start for the Braves, and he is facing off against Max Meyer for the Marlins. Miami is 40-68 this season, while the Braves are 58-49 and are currently on a two-game winning streak. This game will be televised on BSFL.

Miami vs. Atlanta Key Information

• Teams: Marlins at Braves
• Where: Truist Park Atlanta
• Date: Thursday, August 1st
• Betting Odds ATL -200 | MIA +169 O/U 9

The Marlins Can Win If…

Max Meyer and the Marlins are on the road to take on the Braves. This will be Meyer’s second start of the season against the Braves, as he picked up a win in his first start of the year, going 6 innings and allowing just 1 earned run. In his last start, Meyer went 4 innings and gave up 3 earned runs in a no-decision against the Brewers.

Over the past four games, Josh Bell and Jake Burger have both been swinging the bat well for the Marlins, with Bell going 7/18 and Burger going 7/20. Burger has three homers in this stretch, while Bell has gone deep three times in his last four games. Xavier Edwards has also been hot of late, going 10/23 in his last six games.

Currently, Burger leads the Marlins with 15 homers, while Bell is right behind him with 14. Bell’s 49 RBIs are the best mark on the team. As a team, the Marlins are 29th in runs per game at just 3.6, and they are also near the bottom of the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

• The Marlins are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Marlins are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Miami has an over/under record of 8-1-1 in their last ten games.
• The Marlins have an average of 4.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Marlins are 4-6
• Looking back across the Marlins last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Miami has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Marlins have averaged 4.1 runs per game on offense

The Braves Can Win If…

Charlie Morton gets the start for the Braves today as he faces the Marlins at home. He has made 19 starts this season and has a record of 5-6 with an ERA of 4.16. Morton’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.25. In his last outing, he took the loss, going just 2 2/3 innings and giving up five earned runs on six hits. Before that, he had turned in three straight solid outings, where he didn’t give up more than one earned run. Morton’s ERA at home is 3.76, compared to 5.92 on the road.

Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves’ top hitter this season, batting .301 with 31 home runs and 84 RBIs. He comes into the game as the league’s 3rd leading run producer. Matt Olson is 2nd on the team with 17 homers but is batting just .226 this season. However, he has gone deep four times in the team’s last five games.

Over his last five games, Austin Riley has gone 7/22, including one home run and five RBIs. Matt Olson has also gone deep four times in this stretch but is just 4/19. The Braves will be looking for Olson to get back on track, as he is a key power threat in the middle of their lineup.

• The Braves are 4-6 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Braves are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Atlanta has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Braves have an average of 5.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Braves are 6-4
• Looking back across the Braves last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Atlanta has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Braves have averaged 4.5 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For a money line pick, we are leaning towards the Braves to come out on top at home vs. the Marlins. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the under, as this is our lowest projected scoring game of the day. These teams have the 2nd lowest combined home run projection, and 3rd lowest total hits projection. Charlie Morton is 3rd among today’s starters in projected strikeouts.

Jorge Soler, the standout player who played a pivotal role in the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series victory, has returned to Atlanta just in time for a significant four-game series against the Miami Marlins. The Braves reacquired Soler in a strategic mid-season trade, marking his first game back with Atlanta since leaving after their World Series win. As the Braves aim to solidify their playoff position and the Marlins embrace a future-focused strategy, this series promises excitement and intrigue.

Jorge Soler’s Impact on the Braves

Jorge Soler made headlines during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, delivering crucial performances that helped secure the championship. His legendary home run out of Houston’s Minute Maid Park still resonates with fans. Now back in Atlanta, Soler brings his powerful bat and championship pedigree to a lineup that has been searching for additional firepower.

Soler’s Performance and Expectations

Before being traded from the San Francisco Giants to Atlanta, Soler was hitting .240 with 12 home runs. The Braves are counting on Soler to boost their offensive lineup, especially in light of injuries to key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies. With Soler in right field, the Braves expect to have a more robust batting order capable of challenging opposing pitchers early in games.

Brian Snitker’s Confidence in Returning Players

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker expressed his enthusiasm for Soler’s return, along with reliever Luke Jackson, another familiar face to Braves fans. Snitker praised their ability to seamlessly reintegrate into the team and contribute significantly to the Braves’ playoff aspirations. “Those two guys fit in great here once, and I think they’ll do it again,” Snitker said. “I think they’re really excited about coming back.”

Braves’ Recent Performance and Playoff Outlook

The Braves are currently riding high, coming off a successful series against the Milwaukee Brewers, where they secured a decisive 6-2 win in the rubber match. Their 5-1 record against the Marlins this season underscores their strong position in the NL East and sets the stage for a potentially dominant performance in the upcoming series.

Pitching Strategy: Charlie Morton Takes the Mound

Veteran right-hander Charlie Morton is set to start for the Braves, bringing his experience and historical success against the Marlins to the forefront. Despite a challenging July with no wins, Morton holds a 13-6 career record against Miami. The Braves are hopeful that Morton’s familiarity with the Marlins’ lineup will result in a strong performance.

Miami Marlins’ Roster Overhaul and Strategic Shift

The Miami Marlins enter the series against Atlanta with a dramatically different roster, the result of a flurry of trades at the deadline. The team made eight trades involving seven teams, signaling a strategic shift toward acquiring young, promising talent.

Key Departures and New Opportunities

The Marlins parted ways with several notable players, including 2023 National League batting champion Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz, Tanner Scott, and Trevor Rogers. These moves, while significant, open up opportunities for emerging players like infielder Jonah Bride, who recently hit his first home run with the Marlins.

Manager Skip Schumaker on Player Development

Miami manager Skip Schumaker is optimistic about the fresh opportunities for new players, emphasizing the importance of player development in the team’s long-term strategy. “I like home runs, whether it’s the first or 100th,” Schumaker said. “He’s going to get an opportunity now. He’ll get a lot more at-bats and almost everyday playing time. He’s been consistently good.”

Pitching Matchups: Morton vs. Meyer

Charlie Morton’s Experience and Challenges

Charlie Morton’s experience is a valuable asset for the Braves, though his recent struggles have raised questions about his current form. In his last outing against the New York Mets, Morton was charged with seven runs (five earned) and surrendered three home runs. Despite these challenges, Morton’s history against the Marlins gives the Braves confidence in his ability to rebound.

Max Meyer: A Young Talent on the Rise

The Marlins will counter with Max Meyer, a promising right-hander with a 2-0 record and a 3.00 ERA. Meyer has shown flashes of brilliance this season, including a dominant performance against the Braves earlier this year, where he allowed just one run over six innings. His ability to challenge the Braves’ lineup will be a key factor in Miami’s strategy.

Braves vs. Marlins: A Clash of Strategies

Braves’ Playoff Push

With Jorge Soler back in the lineup, the Braves are focusing on making a strong push for the playoffs. Soler’s power-hitting ability provides an essential boost to their offense, potentially transforming close games into decisive victories. The Braves are well-positioned to capitalize on their favorable record against the Marlins and secure a playoff berth.

Marlins’ Focus on the Future

The Marlins, meanwhile, are embracing a longer-term approach. By acquiring top prospects and reshaping their roster, they are laying the groundwork for future success. While this strategy may lead to short-term growing pains, it positions Miami as a team to watch in the coming years as their young talent develops and matures.

Conclusion

The return of Jorge Soler to the Atlanta Braves adds an exciting dimension to their lineup as they prepare to face the Miami Marlins in a crucial four-game series. Soler’s presence is expected to reinvigorate the Braves’ offense and bolster their playoff hopes. Meanwhile, the Marlins’ significant roster changes reflect a strategic pivot towards building for the future. As both teams navigate their respective paths, this series will provide insights into their evolving dynamics and long-term trajectories.

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