Saturday, September 6, 2014

Marlins Park in Miami

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Atlanta Braves are still fighting for a playoff spot this season and will look to add more wins to their total this weekend when they play the Miami Marlins from Marlins Park. The Braves will send left-hander pitcher Alex Wood (10-10) to the mound to take on right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (6-10).

In September, every game you play has more meaning than the previous one. That is what makes this game so crucial for these two National League Wild Card hopefuls. The Braves have had an up-and-down starting rotation throughout the entire season and while Wood has a .500 record, he has been a major up for the team. He has a 2.92 ERA, which is good for 11^th in the NL and second-best on the team, trailing only Julio Teheran. He is coming off the best start of his career where he allowed just 5 hits in 8 innings with 12 strikeouts and no walks. In limited play against the Marlins, Wood has allowed just 27 hits in 108 at-bats with only 2 home runs allowed.

Eovaldi has had a rough second half to the 2014 season. In 9 starts since the All Star break, he has gone 1-6 with a 5.50 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He had his best start of the second half in his last outing against the Braves, allowing just 1 earned run in 6.2 innings, losing because of Wood's remarkable performance. Overall this season, Eovaldi has a 4.19 ERA with 123 strikeouts and 35 walks in just 172 innings.

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

Atlanta Braves are 56-72-12 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Atlanta Braves is 0.1

Miami Marlins Betting Trends

Miami Marlins are 73-55-10 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Miami Marlins is -0.2

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

09/04/14 LF Justin Upton Tricep questionable
07/29/14 P Shae Simmons Shoulder 15-day DL (7/29)
06/20/14 P Gavin Floyd Elbow 60-day DL (6/20), out for season
06/20/14 P Pedro Beato Elbow 15-day DL (6/19)
03/29/14 P Brandon Beachy Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/29/14 P Cory Gearrin Elbow 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Kris Medlen Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21); out for season

Miami Marlins

09/04/14 P Henderson Alvarez Oblique questionable
07/18/14 P Kevin Gregg Elbow 60-day DL (7/14)
06/22/14 2B Rafael Furcal Hamstring 15-day DL (6/20), out for season
05/13/14 P Jose Fernandez Elbow 15-day DL (5/10), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Miami

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