Miami @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 9, 2013 ) Miami 0, Atlanta 5
The Atlanta Braves can match their longest winning streak since 1900 when they aim for their 15th consecutive victory Saturday against the visiting Miami Marlins. It's already the longest winning streak since 2000 for the Braves, who own the best record in the majors and have opened a 15 1/2-game lead over Washington in the National League East. The franchise record came in 1891, when the Boston Beaneaters won 18 straight.
The Marlins suffered their sixth straight loss with a 5-0 deciion on Friday. Miami has scored only 12 runs during its skid and has been shut out twice over that span. The Braves have the best home record in the majors at 39-15 and are 8-0 at Turner Field since the All-Star break.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 3.19 ERA) vs. Braves LH Alex Wood (2-2, 3.20)
Eovaldi is winless in his last four outings despite posting three straight quality starts. The 23-year-old held Cleveland to one run over seven innings his last time out but wound up on the wrong end of a 2-0 outcome. Eovaldi is 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA in four starts against the Braves.
Wood looks like he has a shot to stick in the rotation after winning his last two starts in impressive fashion. He shut down Philadelphia on Sunday, allowing one run on two hits over six innings. The 22-year-old made two relief appearances against the Marlins earlier this season, giving up three hits over three scoreless innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta LF Justin Upton has the longest active hitting streak in the National League at 13 games - including six homers in that span. Upton is 2-for-6 with two strikeouts against Eovaldi.
2. Marlins rookie Christian Yelich, who is riding a nine-game hitting streak, has reached base in 16 of his first 17 contests.
3. The Braves will activate OF Jordan Schafer from the disabled list Saturday and option OF Jose Constanza to Triple-A Gwinnett.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Marlins 3