Atlanta @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2018 ) Atlanta 0, Miami 1

The Atlanta Braves head into Saturday’s third game of a four-game series at the Miami Marlins sitting in first place by three games in the National League East, and their starting rotation is a big reason why they are in contention for a postseason berth for the first time since 2013. Atlanta starters have posted a 2.58 ERA in 24 starts in August after Mike Foltynewicz gave up one run in six innings in Friday’s 1-0 loss.

The two teams combined for just six hits in the second game of the series – three for each team – but Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. doubled to extend his hitting streak against the Marlins to eight games. Miami has not had much success offensively in August, hitting .219 as a team in 21 games, and won Friday without scoring four-plus runs for the first time since Aug. 6 against St. Louis. Right fielder Rafael Ortega saw his eight-game hitting streak end by going 0-for-4 on Friday, but since his Marlins debut on Aug. 10 is hitting .281 with seven walks and four stolen bases. Rookie third baseman Brian Anderson went 1-for-3 and scored the game’s lone run, and is 7-for-23 with five runs scored in his last six games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (6-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Wei-Yin Chen (4-9, 5.20)

Sanchez has struggled a bit since being knocked out of an Aug. 9 start at Washington by a line drive, allowing seven earned runs (eight total) on 12 hits in 11 2/3 innings against the Marlins and Colorado. The 34-year-old struck out eight against the Rockies on Sunday, the fourth time in his past eight starts Sanchez has struck out at least eight. He pitched five innings against the Marlins on Aug. 14, giving up four earned runs in five innings while getting a no-decision.

Chen has endured a difficult season mostly because of his road struggles, where he is 1-6 with a 9.35 ERA compared to a 3-3 record with a 2.05 ERA in 10 home starts. The 33-year-old pitched well at Washington on Aug. 18, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in a no-decision. Chen faced the Braves in back-to-back starts at the end of July, giving up eight runs on 10 hits in 11 innings to earn a win and a loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami relievers combined to allow just one walk in three hitless innings Friday, helping the Marlins give up fewer than four runs for the fourth time in the past five games.

2. Atlanta C Kurt Suzuki, who has missed three straight games with a bruised left triceps, is expected to return Saturday.

3. Marlins LHP Adam Conley earned his second save Friday, and has not allowed a run in four of his past six appearances.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Marlins 4