Thursday, May 1, 7:10 PM on SPSO, FSFL

Marlins Park, Miami, Florida

Atlanta Braves - Santana, E (3-0) vs. Miami Marlins - Alvarez, H (1-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday night, the Atlanta Braves will take the field behind Ervin Santana as they take on the Miami Marlins and Henderson Alvarez. It will be Santana’s 5th start and Alvarez’s 6th start.

Ervin Santana has done well for the Braves with a 3 – 0 record and an ERA of 1.95 coming into this game.  Santana won his second straight in his last start when he went 6.2 innings and gave up 4 runs on 9 hits with a walk and 7 strikeouts.  In 2013, Santana was just 9 – 10 with an ERA of 3.24 in 32 starts with the Kansas City Royals.

Last season, Santana didn’t get the decision in his only start against the Marlins despite allowing just 1 run on 8 hits in 6 innings of work.  Santana might need to pitch around Miami’s Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  Saltalamacchia is just 2 of 9 against Santana but he has a double, a homer and 3 RBIs.     

Henderson Alvarez makes this start after his last outing resulted in a no decision that left his record at 1 – 2 and saw his ERA rise to 2.73.   In that start, Alvarez allowed 2 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.  In 2013, Alvarez was 5 – 6 with a 3.59 ERA in 17 starts.

Last season, Alvarez was 0 - 2 with an ERA of 6.86 in 4 starts against the Braves.   He gave up more hits and runs to the Braves than he allowed against any other team.  Alvarez will not be looking forward to facing Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman.  Freeman is 5 of 9 with 3 doubles, a home run and 5 RBIs against the right-hander. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

Atlanta Braves are 8-15-1 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Atlanta Braves is 1.3

Miami Marlins Betting Trends

Miami Marlins are 13-10-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Miami Marlins is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

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 Mike Minor Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Gavin Floyd Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Miami Marlins

04/09/14 P Jacob Turner Shoulder 15-day DL (4/4)
03/28/14 3B Ed Lucas Hand 15-day DL (3/28)
03/28/14 2B Rafael Furcal Hamstring 15-day DL (3/21)

Guy's Pick: Take Atlanta

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