Marlins Welcome Atlanta Braves to loanDepot Park For Three Game Set
Things just don’t get any easier for the Miami Marlins, huh?
After leaving New York, where the Marlins went 1-2 against the Yankees, the Marlins get to come home but are greeted by the reigning NL East champion Atlanta Braves. What’s worse, the Braves are coming off of getting absolutely shelled by the New York Mets, 16-4 on Thursday, and so not probably have some frustration to get out, but also have one of their best starters on the mound looking to ‘get right’ after two rough starts to open the season.
Lineups for the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Friday, April 12th
Here's how Atlanta will line up for the contest:
RF Ronald Acuña Jr
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
LF Adam Duvall
CF Michael Harris II
SS Orlando Arcia
C Travis d’Arnaud
For Braves starter Max Fried, the question here is if he can get back to his Cy Young runner-up form of 2022 - Fried’s currently rocking an ERA of 18.00 after allowing eleven runs (ten earned) in just five innings to open 2024. Fried’s had recent success against Miami - his last start against them, September 4th of last season, was five no-hit innings on just 66 pitches, with one walk and six strikeouts.
There’s a few Marlins hitters for Fried to watch out for, though: First baseman Josh Bell, who typically bats in the first inning (where Fried’s struggled this season), is 7-17 off of Fried with two extra-base hits, four RBIs, and an 1.033 OPS. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez is nearly as good, albeit in a smaller sample size, going 4-7 with a homer, two RBIs, and a 1.000 OPS.
Here's Miami’s lineup:
2B Luis Arraez
DH Josh Bell
1B Jake Burger
LF Bryan De La Cruz
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
RF Avisaíl García
3B Emmanuel Rivera
C Nick Fortes
SS Vidal Bruján
Starting for the Marlins is Trevor Rogers, who has struggled to open the season. In two starts, he’s 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA, allowing seven runs (six earned) in ten innings, walking seven and striking out nine. He’s also struggled against Atlanta in his career: 0-5 in seven starts, with an ERA of 6.03.
Several Braves have performed well against Rogers, with Ronald Acuña Jr. going 4-8 with a homer and three RBIs, while Travis d’Arnaud is 5-10 with a homer and two RBIs. But there’s some notable exceptions: Austin Riley is batting only .214 in fourteen at-bats and Marcell Ozuna is batting just .167 in twelve at-bats, although both sluggers have one homer and three RBIs. Matt Olson is looking to get off the skid tonight, he’s 0-7 lifetime against Trevor Rogers.
How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins on Friday, April 12th
Today's series opener is scheduled for a 7:10 PM ET first pitch with a full suite of broadcast options. In-market, the Braves broadcast is on Bally Sports South and the Marlins are on Bally Sports Florida, with out-of-market fans being able to watch on MLB.tv. For audio, the Miami broadcast is available on Fox Sports 940AM (WINZ) and WAQI 710, while the Atlanta Braves Radio Network has the standard broadcast on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and affiliates across Braves Country.
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)