Atlanta’s road dominance and history against Sandy Alcantara earns them a playoff against the Miami Marlins
It was a strong day yesterday as we went 2-1 with my own plays. The loss came in the Brewers vs. Cubs. Chicago lost the game 5-0, and I’m over 6.5. I leaned on the Brewers to win, but I didn’t get there personally. Today, we’ll go all the way there as the Braves take on the Marlins in tonight’s game.
The Atlanta Braves are one of the best teams in baseball. This team struggled last year due to injuries but finished in fourth place in this division. I think everyone expected them to regress last season, but that was a big letdown. This year, the team is healthy and looks like it could run away with the National League East. They were the dominant force this season with an 18-8 record.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider pitches against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field in New York City on June 24, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Photos)
In an effort to take three games out of four in the series, the team turned to Spencer Strider. It hasn’t been a long season for Strider, but his numbers look solid with a 1-0 record, 2.45 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. My biggest concern with Strider is that he has allowed 10 walks this year in just 14.2 innings. Five of them came in his first game back, but he still gives up too many, in my opinion. What makes him happy is that the Marlins are 19th in the league in walks. Overall, the Marlins hit just 1-for-12 against the Striders.
The Miami Marlins finished ahead of the Braves last season, but I don’t see that happening again this year. Miami is one of those franchises that seems to be in a perpetual rebuild. The only difference is that the Marlins occasionally succeed. They simply trade any valuable asset before they issue a contract. The Fish are currently 22-28 on the year, but have a winning record at home (albeit a slim 15-14).
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Depot Park in Miami, Fla., on April 7, 2026. (Rhona Wise/Images)
Tonight, they got one of their trading chips taking the mound. Sandy Alcantara, especially if he can regain his Cy Young form, is a guy that Miami will likely buy at the deadline. Overall, Alcantara is 3-2 this season with a 3.53 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. In his 10 starts, he has made eight senior appearances. These two bad beginnings were really bad. He allowed seven earned runs in both. This season, he has two starts in which he allowed 14 runs, and eight in which he allowed 11. Braves hitters were solid against Alcantara.
There are a few guys that should be considered for player services. Ronald Acuna Jr. he’s hitting .342 against Alcantara, half of those hits will go for extra bases. Ozzie Albies is 15 for 48 with eight extra-base hits. Austin Riley on the other hand, with 15 hits in 35 at bats. I like to take Riley for 2+ strikeouts at +238. I also think the other two are 2+ total bases and money. That’s worth a sprinkle or parlay for the same game.
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Austin Riley of the Atlanta Braves hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game Two of the Division Series at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 9, 2023. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Based on their history and current form, I think the Braves are a fair play this time around. They are a little pricier than I would like to pay at 140, but I think with the history of the Braves against Alcantara, we have a good chance to get the win. I’ll take the Braves player sponsorship with Riley.
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