The Atlanta Braves, who won the National League East title last year, visit their division rivals, the Miami Marlins, in a matchup with odd timing.
Here’s why: The Marlins, who have the worst record in the National League, are much improved over their past 19 games (13-6).
“If you look at (the) big picture, we’re playing pretty well,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said after his team’s 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. “We had a good road trip (4-2).”
Meanwhile, the Braves are just 3-5 over their past eight games, including two losses in a row at the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Friday’s series opener will feature a battle of young right-handers: Mike Soroka for the Braves and Jose Urena for the Marlins.
Soroka (6-1, 1.41 ERA) is one of three frontrunners for NL Rookie of the Year, along with slugger Pete Alonso of the New York Mets and pitcher Chris Paddack of the San Diego Padres.
Just 21 years old, Soroka has a funky delivery, slinging the ball toward the plate, and he has used that deception to win six straight decisions. He hasn’t lost since his season debut on April 18, and he went 3-0 with a 0.79 ERA in May.
Soroka, drafted in the first round (28th overall) by Atlanta in 2015, is one of just eight Canadians currently in the majors. He is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA in two starts against Miami. The last time he faced the Marlins was on May 4, when he went seven innings and earned the win, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs. He struck out six and walked two in the victory.
Soroka has allowed just one home run all season — a solo shot by Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants.
“When he’s on the mound, there’s going to be a lot of ground balls — a lot of weak contact,” Braves catcher Brian McCann said of Soroka.
Urena (4-6, 4.14 ERA) has a bit of a history with the Braves. In 15 career appearances, including 12 starts, he is 2-7 with a 6.07 ERA. Last year, Urena was ejected and suspended after hitting red-hot Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. with a fastball. Then, on May 3 this season, the Braves beat Urena 7-2. The Braves threw at Urena but didn’t hit him, but Atlanta got to him by scoring five runs in his six innings.
Presumably, the beanball aspect of this Braves-Urena matchup will be on the backburner on Friday. If so, Urena can settle in and pitch, and he has been pretty good lately with five straight quality starts. During that span, he is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA.
Offensively, the Braves are led by first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is hitting .306 while leading Atlanta in homers with 16. Shortstop Dansby Swanson leads Atlanta with 43 RBIs, and rookie left fielder Austin Riley is batting .329, providing a dangerous lineup a big boost.
Acuna, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, hasn’t quite caught up to his 2018 numbers but has been solid.
The Marlins are led by rookie outfielder Harold Ramirez, who has hit .329 since making his major-league debut on May 11.