Braves vs. Marlins Preview and Pick

The Florida Marlins look for a series sweep when they host the Atlanta Braves Thursday night in South Florida.

Florida has won the first two games of this three-game series, 4-1 Tuesday and 6-5 in 10 innings on Wednesday. But the Braves have won six of nine games vs. the Marlins this year, with the over/under going 7-2.

Atlanta has hit the skids; they’ve lost three games in a row and 13 of their last 16, and have settled into third place in the NL East, 12 games back of the division-leading Mets.

Florida has won four straight games but still sits in last place in the NL East, 15 games back of the Mets.

The Braves are 16-22 on the road this season, while the Marlins are 11-17 at home.

Atlanta starter Sosa (1-8, 5.58) has allowed 14 ER and 27 H+W in his last 17 2/3 IP. In five starts vs. Florida this year and last, Sosa has held the Marlins to 8 ER and 29 H+W in 24 innings of work.

The Braves are 3-8 in Sosa’s starts this year, the over/under 7-3.

Florida starter Nolasco (4-3, 3.33) has given up 8 ER and 27 H+W in his last 18 IP. In one career start vs. Atlanta, which came last month, Nolasco allowed 8 H+W in just 3 2/3 IP, but 0 ER.

The Marlins are 2-3 in Nolasco’s starts this year, the o/u 4-1.

The Braves own a .330 team OBP, 5th-worst in the NL, and average 5.0 runs per game. But Atlanta has scored just 34 runs over their last 10 games, going 2-8 in that span.

Florida owns a .331 team OBP, 6th-worst in the league, and averages 4.6 RPG.

The Braves bullpen has given up 12 ER and 30 H+W in its last 15 2/3 IP.

The Marlins bullpen has allowed just 1 ER and 16 H+W in its last 12 innings of work.

The o/u is 38-26 in Atlanta games this year, 37-23 in Florida games, and 19-8 at Dolphins Stadium.

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The Ultimatecapper Pick: We can’t believe the Braves still have Jorge Sosa on their roster! We like the Marlins here tonight. Look for more of the same, Sosa to get waxed and yanked early.