Atlanta Braves (71-55) will look to extend their winning streak to four games and continue building their
lead atop the division on Thursday when they visit the Miami Marlins (51-77) as
solid road favorites at the sportsbooks.The Braves are coming off a three-game
sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road to rebound after losing four
straight to the Colorado Rockies at home.MLB betting line: The Braves opened as
-172 favorites (wager $172 to win $100); the total is at eight runs
Jesus Aguilar Jersey , according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer:
5.0-4.2, Braves (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on
iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a
breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Braves can pay on the
MLB linesAtlanta has dominated Miami this season, going 12-3 in the first 15
meetings
http://www.brewersfanproshop.com/authentic-ryan-braun-jersey , according to the OddsShark MLB Database. That includes a current six-game series
winning streak after sweeping the Marlins in a four-game set at home a little
more than a week ago.Lefty Sean Newcomb (10-6, 3.73 ERA) did not toe the rubber
in that most recent matchup for the Braves, but he did perform well and got some
help at Miami on July 23, allowing just one run and four hits in six innings of
a 12-1 victory. In fact, the 25-year-old is a perfect 3-0 versus the Marlins
this season with a sparkling 1.00 ERA.Why the Marlins can pay on the MLB
linesMiami hopes to see the Newcomb from his last start on Friday when he
surrendered seven runs and nine hits to Colorado in 5.1 innings of an 11-5
defeat. While the Marlins have struggled against him previously this
year
Travis Shaw Jersey , they have won three of their past four games overall, beating the Washington Nationals twice and the New York Yankees once during that
stretch.Rookie Elieser Hernandez (2-6, 5.08 ERA) will get the call here for
Miami in a tough spot, but he has pitched well versus Atlanta in 2018. Michael
Reaves/Getty ImagesThe 23-year-old Venezuelan has given up only one run to the
Braves in eight innings of relief.Smart betting pickThe pitching matchup
obviously favors Atlanta but so does the team's home-road splits. The Braves own
one of the league's best records away from home at 37-27, and they backed it up
again in sweeping the Pirates. Atlanta has won five of its last six on the road
too and will make it six of seven with another big victory in this series
opener. MLB betting trendsAtlanta is 17-8 in its last 25 games.Atlanta is 5-1 in
its last six games on the road.Miami is 2-5 in its last seven games at home. All
MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds
partner
Paul Molitor Jersey , OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's
top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. Josh Donaldson's
tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays could be nearing its end, with Scott Mitchell
of TSN reporting Saturday that the player's locker has been cleared out within
the past 24 hours.Mitchell noted he is "not sure this means anything," but it
adds to speculation that has been growing about a potential trade before the
August 31 deadline.Jon Heyman of Fancred reported last week the Blue Jays
planned to put him on waivers and trade him once he returns to the lineup.The
third baseman has only played 36 games this season and has been on the disabled
list since June 1 with a calf injury. His timetable for a return has also been
somewhat of a mystery since being placed on the 60-day DL.While a team spokesman
said earlier this month Donaldson was "ramping up intensity in Florida over the
next several days," per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, he still hasn't rejoined the
major league club.The 32-year-old has struggled even when healthy this
year
http://www.brewersfanproshop.com/authentic-robin-yount-jersey , batting .234 with five home runs and 16 RBI in his limited playing time.Still,
it makes sense for Toronto to see what it can get in a trade considering he is
set to hit free agency and the team is well out of a playoff spot.On the other
hand, a contending team can add a veteran player who is just three years removed
from winning the MVP award. He earned MVP votes last season as well while
posting a .944 OPS with 33 home runs.If he can get himself healthy, Donaldson
could be a low-risk, high-reward addition for the home stretch of the
season.
