The Atlanta Braves (99-59, 82-75 RL, 78-71-8 O/U) are on the road against the Miami Marlins (67-92, 76-82 RL, 69-82-7 O/U) in the first of a three-game divisional series on Monday evening. The Braves will send Bryce Elder to the mound. The Marlins counter with Jesus Luzardo. The Braves lead the season series 12-4.
The Braves will have Bryce Elder on the mound on Monday. Elder was brilliant in his previous start, recording the complete game shutout innings against the Nationals, and was awarded the win to lift his record to 2-3. The talented rookie right-hander is enjoying a dominant stretch on the mound, conceding one run in his last three starts, and is sporting a stifling 2.76 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 49 innings of work. Elder has limited the Marlins to only three runs in 17.2 innings this season.
Atlanta is determined to win the division. They hold a one-game lead ahead of the Mets entering Sunday night and are glad to be playing the final regular season series against a Marlins team they have dominated all season. The Braves have won four out of their last five road games.
Austin Riley has displayed his power agains t Miami this season, launching six homers along with eight RBIs. The 25-year-old slugger has cooled recently but has 38 homers along with 93 RBIs and an .889 OPS. Riley only posted eight RBIs last month.
The Braves potent offense is averaging 4.90 runs per game, ranking them third. The pitching staff has logged a 3.42 team ERA, good for fifth in the big leagues.