Atlanta @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2018 ) Atlanta 5, Miami 0

The Atlanta Braves will play the second contest of their four-game series against the host Miami Marlins on Friday, and nobody can blame Ronald Acuna Jr. for looking forward to the matchup. The 20-year-old rookie belted a 432-foot homer in the second inning of Thursday’s series-opening 5-0 victory, his 21st blast of the season that marked the sixth consecutive game against Miami in which he's gone deep - the longest such streak by a rookie against one opponent in major-league history.

Atlanta carries a three-game lead over Philadelphia in the National League East into the weekend thanks to a bounce-back effort from Sean Newcomb on the mound and homers by Acuna, Charlie Culberson and Ender Inciarte as the team won for the 18th time in 26 games. Atlanta’s dominance of Miami – the Braves are 13-3 against the Marlins this season – is a big reason it resides in first place in the division. The Marlins have won only five of their last 21 contests, and Thursday’s defeat dropped them to 18-37 against NL East rivals this year. Rookie Isaac Galloway went 1-for-4 on Thursday and is hitting .310 in his first taste of major-league action after 3,655 plate appearances across 11 seasons in the minor leagues.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (10-7, 2.72 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Straily (4-6, 4.60)

Foltynewicz has flourished this month, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA, only six walks and 28 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old, who has matched the career high in victories he set last season, scattered four hits and struck out nine over seven scoreless frames against Colorado on Saturday, but Atlanta's bullpen was unable to hold the lead. Foltynewicz won both of his previous starts against Miami this season, posting a 0.69 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Straily looks to snap a five-start winless streak during which he has posted a 6.39 ERA while allowing opponents to post a .306 batting average with six homers in 25 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old lost at Washington on Aug. 17, surrendering five runs and nine hits in six frames, and has won just once in his last nine starts despite allowing fewer than three earned runs on four occasions. Straily is 2-1 with a 4.02 ERA against the Braves this season but surrendered eight runs - five earned - over 3 2/3 innings in a loss on July 31.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami C J.T. Realmuto has struck out seven times while going hitless in his last 13 at-bats.

2. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman enters the weekend leading the NL in batting average (.317), while RF Nick Markakis is tied for second (.314).

3. Marlins LHP Jarlin Garcia left the series opener in the fifth inning after being hit in the right shin by a line drive off the bat of Markakis.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Marlins 2