The Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves take to the field tonight in the fourth and final game of this series. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. (EST) start time and it will be televised nationally on the MLB Network. Currently the Major League Baseball Odds for the game have the Braves favored to pick up a win here tonight.
Atlanta is in a pretty good position moving forward to contend for the National League East title. They find themselves one game back of the Washington Nationals and picking up wins against a team like Miami, who is six games below the .500 mark, is only going to help them. But the Marlins can be a feisty team, which they have proven several times this season.
Miami's main problem is inconsistency and lack of quality pitching depth. Miami could be heading in the right direction and having a guy like Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup almost every day certainly helps.
Tonight the Marlins will send Henderson Alvarez to the mound. He's been a very serviceable guy for the Marlins this season, eating up some innings and pitching pretty solid on the road despite being 2-3 on the season. Several Braves have good numbers against him, however, as the team hits .303 against him in almost 100 at bats.
If Alvarez can't consistently get guys out, the Braves are going to win this game tonight. He hasn't fared too well against the Braves, thought. Alvarez is 0-2 with a 6.67 ERA in five career starts against the Braves.
Pitching for Atlanta is Aaron Harang, the journeyman that still gets guys out. He's been pitching exceptionally well this year, too. Harang is 4-0 with a 2.12 ERA over his last five starts overall.
When it comes to bullpens, obviously we like the Braves more. We like their lineup up and down better as well. The Braves are going to be here for the long haul and that bodes well for them. Pitching is so important and Atlanta does a great job in that category.
We like Atlanta to win tonight.
Free Pick: Atlanta 5, Miami 2
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