Braves vs. Marlins Prediction, Odds and Props: Atlanta Will Snag Series
After getting crushed in the opener of this NL East series, the Atlanta Braves will look to defeat the host Miami Marlins for the third straight game on Thursday.
bet365 Sportsbook has the Braves as the moneyline favorites (-140) in the series finale, with the total set at 8 runs.
Here, we offer a Braves vs. Marlins prediction, some of our favorite player props, and break down the odds.
Braves vs. Marlins odds (May 21)
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| Braves (-140) | Over 7.5 runs (-105) | Braves, -1.5 runs (+130) |
| Marlins (+120) | Under 7.5 runs (+105) | Marlins, +1.5 runs (-150) |
How the NL East is unfolding
The Braves (34-16) have the best record in the Majors, and they have won seven of their last 10 games. While still early in the season, they are running away with the National League East division, already nine games up on the second-place Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.
The Marlins (22-28) have lost six of their last 10 games and sit fourth in the NL East, 12 games back of the Braves.
The top online sportsbooks have the Braves with the third-best odds (+1000) to win the World Series after the L.A. Dodgers (+185) and New York Yankees (+500).
Braves looked a little different in last two games
After losing the series opener 12-0, Atlanta has won the last two games, outscoring Miami 17-5. They crushed the Fish 9-1 on Wednesday, giving up just four hits. Austin Riley and Dominic Smith each had three-run homers.
On the season, the Braves are 4-2 against the Marlins.
Braves vs. Marlins analysis: by the numbers
Braves
- Runs – 2nd
- Team batting average – 1st
- Team ERA – 1st
- Bullpen ERA – 5th
Marlins
- Runs – Tied for 11th
- Team batting average – 10th
- Team ERA – 21st
- Bullpen ERA – 8th
Pitching Matchup
Spencer Strider (1-0, 2.45 ERA 1,23 WHIP) takes the hill for the Braves. In his last start, Strider only gave up one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 3-2 extra-innings win over the Boston Red Sox. He started the season on the injured list, and the Braves have won all three of his starts. After Strider gave up three runs in his season debut, he has only given up one run in 11 1/3 innings over his last two outings.
Sandy Alcantara (3-2, 3.53 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) gets the nod for the Marlins and was solid in his last outing, giving up one run on seven hits in six innings of a 10-5 extra-innings win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Miami has won four of its last five starts, including Alcantara's last two, in which he gave up three runs over 12 innings.
Braves batters are crushing it
It's no surprise the Braves have the best record in the Majors, considering they rank first in team batting average and team ERA, and second in runs. They have scored at least eight runs in three of their last four games and have only lost one series all season.
Matt Olson (.281, 14 home runs, 42 RBIs) is tied for the major league lead in RBIs and has four in the last four games.
Drake Baldwin (.303, 13 HR, 38 RBI) had been swinging a hot bat but is on the 10-day IL with an oblique injury and has missed the last two games.
Up and down Fish
The Marlins have been hot and cold lately. In their last five games, they totaled 22 runs in the two wins, while scoring only eight runs in the three losses.
Otto Lopez (.349, 4 HR, 21 RBIs) leads the Majors in batting average and has multiple hits in four of the last five games.
Liam Hicks (.288, 9 HR, 42 RBIs) is tied with Olson for the MLB lead in RBIs and has four in the last five games.
PlayersBest pick: Braves moneyline (-140)
Strider is hitting his stride and will have a third straight great outing. The Atlanta lineup, which has totaled 17 runs in the last two games, will be legit at the dish again.
The Braves will take this finale and win yet another series.
Marlins vs. Braves player prop picks for series finale
Here are some player prop bets we like at FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Spencer Strider Over 5.5 strikeouts (-128) – While he failed to notch more than 5 Ks in his last start (4), Strider did hit this number in his first two, and the Marlins have struck out 21 times in the last two games.
- Otto Lopez 2+ hits (+260) – Good value bet for a guy who leads baseball in batting average and has four multi-hit games in the last five.
