ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves have dropped just one series this season and enter Monday’s opener of a four-game set against the Miami Marlins with a 32-15 record — just one game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for the best mark in baseball.
Monday’s game will be broadcast live on Gray Media stations across the Southeast.
The Braves took two of three from the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, highlighted by a walk-off win Friday and a rainy rout Sunday.
Atlanta will look to take advantage of a 21-26 Marlins club that sits fourth in the NL East before returning home Friday to host the Washington Nationals.
Braves-Marlins pitching probables
Monday, 6:40 p.m. – RHP JR Ritchie vs. RHP Max Meyer
Tuesday, 4:10 p.m. – LHP Martin Perez vs. LHP Braxton Garrett
Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. – LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Janson Junk
Thursday, 6:40 p.m. – RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara
Perez was initially slated to start Monday’s game, but the veteran southpaw had to enter Saturday’s game in the ninth inning due to the team using its high-leverage relievers earlier in the week, including Friday’s extra-inning with over Boston.
Perez only pitched the one inning, so the team opted to push Perez back a day, so Ritchie will start Monday in his place. The rookie right hander enters Monday with a 3.32 ERA in four starts.
Ritchie starting Monday and Perez on Tuesday gives Sale and Strider an extra day’s rest, which is always beneficial, especially since the team is wrapping up a 13-game stretch this weekend at Truist Park.
Hitters to watch
Braves: Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson are two of the league’s best left-handed hitters. That’s been established. Olson’s MVP-caliber numbers through nearly two months have even sparked early Hall of Fame conversations, while Baldwin leads the league in left-on-left home runs — a noteworthy statistic considering Weiss has been batting him leadoff.
Marlins: Liam Hicks has quietly become a valuable contributor for Miami. He enters Monday’s game second in the league with 40 RBIs while providing consistent contact for a middling Marlins lineup. The Marlins also feature strong contact hitters throughout the order, from Xavier Edwards to Otto Lopez and Jakob Marsee — all of whom can steal bases at an exceptional rate.
Injury report
Ronald Acuña Jr. is oh-so close to returning to the diamond, as he’s doing sprints, running the bases and taking batting practice before games.
It’s unlikely he’ll return from his hamstring injury before the weekend series against the Nationals, though.
Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters Sunday that Acuña will travel with the team to Miami, but likely won’t be activated until the Braves return to Atlanta. Because LoanDepot Park uses artificial turf, the Braves prefer to wait until Acuña is fully ready to return to the outfield before activating him.
Full injury report vs. Marlins:
Braves:
RF Ronald Acuña Jr. (hamstring)LHP Dylan Dodd (spine)RHP Joe Jimenez (knee)RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow)RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow)LHP Danny Young (elbow)
Marlins:
OF Griffin Conine (hamstring)How to watch Braves on Gray
The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through local television stations, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.
For broadcast times, channel information and additional details, fans are encouraged to click here and check local Gray Media station listings in their markets.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.