The Atlanta Braves (66-46, 57-55 RL, 58-49-5 O/U) battle the Miami Marlins (50-61, 49-61 RL, 48-59-3 O/U) in game one of Saturday's NL East doubleheader. The Braves send Ian Anderson to the hill. The Marlins have yet to name a starter. The Braves lead the season series by a 5-4 count.
Ian Anderson gets the nod in game one of the DH. Anderson was recently demoted to Triple-A and last pitched with the Braves at the beginning of the month, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings against the Mets in a game the Braves won. The young right-hander is definitely having a frustrating season, recording a 5.11 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP accompanied by a 9-6 record in 105.2 innings of work. Anderson has squandered 11 runs (10 earned) in 16.2 innings against the Marlins this year and is 1-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 37.2 career innings against the foes.
Atlanta hasn’t been at their best recently and their chances of winning the NL East have taken a big hit. They trail the Mets by seven games however they hold a comfortable spot in the NL wildcard. The Braves collected two wins in Boston this week.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is heating up at the plate which is a good sign after a subpar July. The 24-year-old center fielder has accrued five RBIs and a .950 OPS this month and now has nine homers with 28 RBIs and a .768 OPS on the year. Acuna Jr. is 7 for 19 with one RBI against the Marlins this season.
Atlanta is posting an average of 4.81 runs per game, good for fifth overall. The pitching staff has logged a 3.70 team ERA, placing them seventh in the big leagues.