ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Braves have dropped just one series this season and enter Monday\u2019s opener of a four-game set against the Miami Marlins with a 32-15 record \u2014 just one game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays for the best mark in baseball.<\/p>\n
Monday\u2019s game will be broadcast live on Gray Media stations across the Southeast.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Braves-Marlins pitching probables<\/p>\n
Monday, 6:40 p.m. – RHP JR Ritchie vs. RHP Max Meyer<\/p>\n
Tuesday, 4:10 p.m. – LHP Martin Perez vs. LHP Braxton Garrett<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. – LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Janson Junk<\/p>\n
Thursday, 6:40 p.m. – RHP Spencer Strider vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara<\/p>\n
Perez was initially slated to start Monday\u2019s game, but the veteran southpaw had to enter Saturday\u2019s game in the ninth inning due to the team using its high-leverage relievers earlier in the week, including Friday\u2019s extra-inning with over Boston.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ritchie starting Monday and Perez on Tuesday gives Sale and Strider an extra day\u2019s rest, which is always beneficial, especially since the team is wrapping up a 13-game stretch this weekend at Truist Park.<\/p>\n
Hitters to watch<\/p>\n
Braves: Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson are two of the league\u2019s best left-handed hitters. That\u2019s been established. Olson\u2019s 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 \u2014 a noteworthy statistic considering Weiss has been batting him leadoff.<\/p>\n
Marlins: Liam Hicks has quietly become a valuable contributor for Miami. He enters Monday\u2019s 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 \u2014 all of whom can steal bases at an exceptional rate.<\/p>\n
Injury report<\/p>\n
Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. is oh-so close to returning to the diamond, as he\u2019s doing sprints, running the bases and taking batting practice before games.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unlikely he\u2019ll return from his hamstring injury before the weekend series against the Nationals, though.<\/p>\n
Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters Sunday that Acu\u00f1a will travel with the team to Miami, but likely won\u2019t be activated until the Braves return to Atlanta. Because LoanDepot Park uses artificial turf, the Braves prefer to wait until Acu\u00f1a is fully ready to return to the outfield before activating him.<\/p>\n
Full injury report vs. Marlins:<\/p>\n
Braves:<\/p>\n
RF Ronald Acu\u00f1a 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)<\/p>\n
Marlins:<\/p>\n
OF Griffin Conine (hamstring)How to watch Braves on Gray<\/p>\n
The Braves and Gray Media will simulcast 25 games for free, over-the-air to fans across Braves Country through local television stations<\/a>, reaching 26 markets throughout the Southeast.<\/p>\n