Braves vs Marlins | Predictions

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Atlanta Braves vs Florida Marlins
7:10 PM Friday September 3 – MLBN
FREE Expert MLB Picks

Pitching Probables: Kenshin Kawakami vs Andrew Miller

The Braves are enjoying a better than expected season but they can’t afford to let up know. They must finish strong or else all those come from behind victories will have been for not. I have written before about Atlanta’s amazing success at home but it should be noted that they are 8 games under .500 on the road (surprising for a first place team), including 2-4 against the Marlins. Kenshin kawakami is making his first appearance since July and is a staggering 1-9 on the season (the Braves have lost his last 8 road starts) – you wouldn’t think you could compile such an awful record with a first place team. With every game counting they need him to keep them in the game so they can try and win late as usual. His numbers for his career against Florida are not pretty either, just 1-4. It will be interesting to see if Atlanta can finish this out, especially if can not rely on Derek Lowe down the stretch.

You have to hand it to the Marlins. They are not likely to make the playoffs this year, again, but they never seem to pack it in. They have a great chance to spoil things for the Braves by taking this series and have had success in the division this year leading all teams with 29 victories. Andrew Miller was the linchpin in the Miguel Cabrera trade a few years back but he hasn’t really panned out as expected. This year the tall lefty had made only one start, a no-decision against the Astros where he gave up just a single run in 5 innings. He faced Atlanta last week in relief giving up 4 runs in 4 innings. There is little reason to have great confidence in him this evening other than he appears to be more comfortable pitching at home.

Prediction: No reason to expect a low scoring affair in this one. Look for the Marlins to jump out early and barely hold on. Best play is probably the over.

Florida is +106 and the O/U is 9.

Score Prediction:
Florida Marlins – 7
Atlanta Braves – 6

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Atlanta Braves Betting Trends:

• Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
• Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games when playing Florida

Florida Marlins Betting Trends:

• The total has gone OVER in 10 of Florida’s last 12 games
• Florida is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
• The total has gone OVER in 9 of Florida’s last 10 games at home
• Florida is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home