The Marlins ended a two-game slide in their road set with the Braves, cashing in Wednesday’s 4-2 victory as 173 underdogs. Tonight’s finale has Braves left-hander Mike Minor slated to oppose Marlins newly-acquired righty Nathan Eovaldi.


Joe Freda’s 2012 MLB Record: 45-49-2 (-4.98 ROI)

Minor holds off Phillies

Mike MinorMinor notched his third win in five starts with Saturday’s 2-1 victory as a 125 home favorite against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 24-year-old allowed four hits over eight innings (103 pitches), including a homer to Chase Utley for Philadelphia’s sole run.

Braves outfielders Jason Heyward and Martin Prado both went 2-for-4 at the plate, with Heyward driving in one run. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman and Brian McCann were held to a combined 0-for-6 night, leaving five men on base.

The tight affair’s three runs plunged below the ‘total’ of eight, making the UNDER 2-0 in Minor’s last pair of starts. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel tossed two strikeouts in the final frame, logging his 30th save.

Eovaldi wins in debut

Eovaldi picked up a victory in Saturday’s 4-2 triumph for Miami, cashing as a 138 home favorite against the San Diego Padres.  The second-year hurler gave up one run over 5 1/3 innings, making his Marlins' debut after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Marlins outfielder Justin Ruggiano cracked his eighth homer of the year, finishing 1-for-3. Reyes and Lee united for Miami’s remaining trio of RBIs, combining to hit 3-for-7.

The contest’s six runs dipped below the ‘total’ of 8 ½, bringing the UNDER to 9-2 in Eovalid’s 11 starts on the year.  Marlins relievers Edward Mujica and Michael Dunn both logged holds, allowing one hit over 2 2/3 frames of middle relief.

Back the UNDER in Atlanta

Thursday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. (ET). The weather forecast in Atlanta calls for a 90-degree evening, with a 30-percent chance of thunderstorms.

I am adding the UNDER in this duel to my MLB picks for the night’s card, looking for this finale to stay tight.



Minor was lit up by the Marlins in their first trip to Atlanta this season, but has settled down since then. The Tennessee native allowed just three earned runs over 12 IP in his past two starts against Reyes and Co, while giving up a stingy four earned runs among his last three home outings (20 1/3 IP).

Eovaldi has had his share of success in road outings, having yet to give up a home run in 33 IP away from home.  The 22-year-old faced the Braves this past September, holding Fredi Gonzalez’ club to one run over six innings while still with the Dodgers.

Miami has hit a subpar .237 against left-handed pitching on the road, with the UNDER going 7-1 in the team’s last eight contests away from home. Marlins sluggers Giancarlo Stanton and Logan Morrison have been out with knee injuries, with their bats being missed in a spot like this.

Atlanta has seen the UNDER cash at 4-2 in the first six games of its present homestand, holding its visitors to 1.8 RPG. Braves top hitter Martin Prado has gone a subpar 2-for-14 at the plate in this series, while going 0-for-3 facing Eovaldi last year.

Umpire Sam Holbrook is slated behind the dish, with the UNDER going 3-1-1 in the 47-year-old’s last five spots of calling balls and strikes.  Look for the UNDER to cash again here, adding to the 13-4 mark for the wager in the last 17 meetings between these foes in Atlanta.d receivers will be available.