Welcome to a Friday edition of MLB best bets. Tonight, we’ll take look into Game 1 if an NL East weekend series between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins in Miami.
Atlanta Braves @ Miami Marlins
The Braves come in fresh after having the day off Thursday after defeating the Phillies to clinch their sixth straight NL East crown. The Marlins on the other hand are still fighting for their playoff lives, as they cling on to hopes of grabbing one of the final NL Wild Card spots.
Johnny Cueto will take the mound for Miami. He’s struggled lately, with a 6.84 ERA since Aug. 1. Cueto has also been terrible at home this season with a 6.29 ERA, and tag on a 11.70 ERA in three night games this season. Though the Braves have cliched the division, they still have player incentives and personal record to chase which means we should get the usual lineup Friday.
Best Bet
Braves F5 Team Total Over 2.5 Runs (-135, DraftKings Sportsbook) — 1-Unit Wager
Johnny Cueto has surrendered at least 3 earned runs in six consecutive starts. The Braves have been the best-scoring team, both full game and through the first 5 innings, all season long. Atlanta has averaged 4 runs per first 5 innings over their last three games and 3.50 run per first five this season. It will be a tall task for Cueto to keep this Atlanta lineup off the scoreboard early and often Friday.