Bryce Elder, Braves look to clinch NL East Monday against Marlins

Oct 3, 2022 - 6:00 PM

Needing just one win for a fifth consecutive NL East title, the Atlanta Braves will send Bryce Elder to the mound Monday when they begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. The Braves are riding high after sweeping the Mets in a three-game series at Truist Park over the weekend. Atlanta defeated Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer on back-to-back days and then knocked off Christ Bassitt in the finale Wednesday.

Atlanta is 12-4 against the Marlins this season and are 45-33 on the road this season. The Marlins have won two straight games and six of their last 10 overall. They took three out of four from the Brewers in Milwaukee this past weekend dealing a critical blow to their playoff hopes.

Bryce Elder stepped into the rotation for the Braves after Spencer Strider was placed on the injured list with a sore oblique. Elder has pitched well down the stretch and tossed Atlanta’s only complete game shutout of the season in his last start against the Nationals. He has been excellent against the Marlins allowing just three runs combined in three starts (17 ²⁄₃ innings) this season.

Miami will counter with lefty Jesus Luzardo who is looking to end his season on a positive note. Luzardo got off to a good start this season before a lengthy stint on the injured list. He returned to Miami’s rotation in August and has again pitched well down the stretch. He allowed four hits and two runs over six innings in his last start against the Mets. He has allowed three earned runs or less in nine of his last 11 starts. One of those came against the Braves on August 13 where he allowed seven hits and four runs in five innings.

Matt Olson battled his way through a second half slump, but came up big for the Braves in the series against the Mets. Olson finished with five hits in the series and homered in all three games. He is 10-for-23 at the plate with five home runs over his last seven games. Dansby Swanson joined Olson by homering in all three games against the Mets. The Braves enter play Monday leading the National League in home runs with 241 and are just five behind the Yankees who lead the majors with 246.

First pitch for Monday’s game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET and can be seen on Bally Sports South.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Monday, October 3, 6:40 p.m. ET

Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida

TV: Bally Sports South

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan