May 21, 2026, 6:06 a.m. ET
The Atlanta Braves (34-16) and Miami Marlins (22-28) meet Thursday in the finale of their 4-game NL East series at Loan Depot Park in Miami, Florida. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze MLB odds around the Braves vs. Marlins odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Braves lead 4-2
The Braves followed up a 8-4 win Tuesday with a 9-1 win Wednesday as -188 favorites with the Over (7.0) cashing. DH Dominic Smith and 3B Austin Riley each hit home runs and batted in 3 runs a piece.
The Marlins have dropped back-to-back games after a dominant 12-0 win in Game 1 of the series. They had only 4 hits Wednesday with SS Otto Lopez getting 2 of them.
Watch MLB on Fubo!Braves at Marlins projected starters
RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara
Strider (1-0, 2.45 ERA) makes his fourth start. He has a 1.227 WHIP, 6.1 BB/9 and 11 K/9 in 14 2/3 innings.
Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K in a 3-2 home victory Friday vs. Boston Red SoxCareer vs. Marlins: 2-2, 2.38 ERA (22 2/3 IP, 6 ER), 0.882 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 in 3 starts2026 on road: 1-0, 2.89 ERA, 9 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 7 BB, 13 K in 2 starts
Alcantara (3-2, 3.53 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.257 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 63 2/3 innings.
Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K in a 10-5 road win Saturday at Tampa Bay RaysCareer vs. Braves: 5-5, 3.31 ERA (100 2/3 IP, 37 ER), 1.162 WHIP, 8.0 K/9 in 16 starts2026 at home: 2-1, 2.95 ERA, 39 2/3 IP, 13 ER, 27 H, 15 BB, 27 K in 6 startsBraves at Marlins odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:56 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Braves -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Marlins +125 (bet $100 to win $125)Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (+118) | Marlins +1.5 (-145)Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Braves at Marlins picks and predictionsPrediction
Braves 6, Marlins 3
PASS.
I’m confident in the Braves winning this game, and the value is on the run line.
BET BRAVES -1.5 (+118).
Strider has been solid since being activated off the injured list. Alcantara has had 2 rough starts this year in which he’s given up 7 runs. He’ll have his hands full against Atlanta’s offense, which leads the majors in RBIs (253) and team batting average (.263), and has a +98 run differential.
BET OVER 7.5 (-115).
These teams have combined for 8 or more runs in every matchup this season. The only time they didn’t hit the Over is when they pushed at 9 runs back in April. Miami has hit the Over in 8 straight games, as have the Braves in their last 4.
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