Normally I wouldn't recommend laying a price this high with the rebuilding Braves. However, the spot, pitching matchup and how poorly the Marlins are playing makes this a strong recommendation on Atlanta.



The Marlins are the worst team in baseball right now. They are 5-17 since the All-Star break, have dropped nine of their last 11, including their past six games.



Miami is last in the majors in runs scored, third from the bottom in homers, plays terrible defense and has a bad bullpen made worse by underrated setup man Carter Capps being on the DL.



Braves starter Shelby Miller should dominate a punchless Miami lineup that desperately misses Giancarlo Stanton. Miller has the fifth-lowest ERA in the National League at 2.44. His ERA is even better at home (1.97) and in day games (1.87).



Miller has faced the Marlins three times this year and held them to one run in 19 innings giving up just nine hits. Miller is aided by the return of defensive whiz, shortstop Andrelton Simmons.



It can be a sweat backing the Braves because of their lack of offense especially with Freddie Freeman hurt again. But Atlanta is averaging 5.4 runs this month and draws Brad Hand in this matchup. Hand is a fill-in starter more suited as a long reliever. He has a 4.58 ERA in 35 career starts. The Marlins are 7-21 in Hand's last 28 starts, a winning percentage of 25 percent.



The Marlins are at low ebb. They have lost to Atlanta 10 of 12 times this season and are concerned and distracted by the condition of franchise pitcher Jose Fernandez, who returned to Miami to have his sore shoulder looked at.



The Marlins are idle on Monday as they travel back home. I can't see them caring and putting out too much effort in this game giving all their negativity and facing a very good pitcher. This is a mail-in spot for them.