The Atlanta Braves stink. It’s been nearly a decade since the last time we were able to say that so matter-of-factly. Pretty much everything has not gone according to plan for them since Opening Day, and there has been no let up in bad news lately.
The Braves and Miami Marlins last faced off from June 20-22. Since then, Atlanta owns the worst record in Major League Baseball (12-25). They face off again for five games over the next four days with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Austin Riley both sidelined by injuries and the home team’s “best” projected starting pitcher being…Erick Fedde?
This is a must-win series against arguably the weakest opponent remaining on the Marlins’ 2025 schedule.
Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 9-0. Recent waiver claim Joey Wiemer (3-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB, HBP) reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances in his Marlins organizational debut. Patrick Monteverde tossed five scoreless innings, helping his own cause with the outstanding defensive play embedded below. Double-A Pensacola lost, 11-5. Brutal night for Alex Williams (3.0 IP, 10 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 88 pitches/60 strikes). Payton Green, Colby Shade and Eric Rataczak each recorded hits in their Double-A debuts. High-A Beloit lost, 3-0. Brandon Compton drew three walks and stole a base. Low-A Jupiter lost, 8-5.
More Marlins news and content below:
🔷 Ryan Weathers (left lat strain) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Realistically, that still leaves him at least five weeks away from returning to the majors as a starter, but manager Clayton McCullough is “hopeful” that he will indeed return before season’s end.
🔷 Third base has been one of the Marlins’ weakest positions in 2025. However, in 19 games since Connor Norby was placed on the injured list, the Marlins are getting great production at the hot corner. Javier Sanoja has excelled on the short side of that platoon, but it’s been mostly Graham Pauley‘s position. He is slashing .250/.348/.450 with a 123 wRC+ during this latest stint. His defense has been nearly flawless, saving runs with his reaction time and ability to make accurate, off-balance throws across the diamond. If Pauley can keep this up, it will be fascinating to see how the Marlins utilize him once Norby gets back.
🔷 On this day nine years ago, Ichiro Suzuki recorded his 3,000th MLB hit, and on this day 15 years ago, Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramírez played vital roles in a thrilling 10-inning victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated through the first 37 series. Not much movement since the previous update considering how confident most folks were in the Marlins to continue their streak of series victories. Become a SuperSub and we’ll keep track of your predictions all season long!
🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Trevor Rogers continues to be spectacular since rejoining the Baltimore Orioles starting rotation. His ERA actually went up to 1.44 despite holding the Philadelphia Phillies to one run across six innings pitched. The Milwaukee Brewers became the first MLB team to reach 70 wins this season. Chicago Cubs right-hander Andrew Kittredge threw an immaculate inning.
🔷 Today’s MLB game: the Marlins and Braves begin their supersized series at Truist Park (probable starters RHP Eury Pérez and RHP Carlos Carrasco). The Marlins have a 51.4% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 7:15 p.m. ET.
🔷 This weekend, Jen Pawol will become the first woman to umpire MLB regular season games. She’ll work both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader, then call balls and strikes on Sunday.
🔷 Prior to the series opener, Fish On First LIVE will preview it all beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).
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