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The second-seeded Braves did not surrender a
run in their two-game sweep of Cincinnati -- in 22 innings, no
less -- while the sixth-seeded Marlins allowed just one while
sweeping aside the Chicago Cubs.
Fresh off a pair of dominating pitching performances, Atlanta
once again will turn to ace left-hander Max Fried (0-0, 0.00
ERA) on Tuesday afternoon for the opener of its best-of-five
series in Houston.
Fried followed up a scintillating 7-0 record in the regular
season by scattering six hits over seven scoreless innings in a
no-decision in Game 1 of the NL wild-card series on Wednesday --
a game the Braves won 1-0 in 13 innings.
The 26-year-old Fried, who owns an 0-1 mark with a 5.13 ERA in
six career starts versus Miami, did not record a decision in two
games against the Marlins this season. He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless
innings in Miami on Aug. 15 before surrendering a pair of solo
homers in one frame on Sept. 23, an outing that was cut short by
an ankle injury.
"I don't think we thought about Max's ankle or him not having
that many innings," Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said of
Fried, who had worked just six innings over the three previous
weeks prior to his last start.
"I think we all knew Max would go out there and compete. Him
competing at the highest level is pretty special."
Braves manager Brian Snitker played it close to the vest when
asked if Fried could return on short rest for a potential Game
5.
"We just need to see how that first game goes and the subsequent
games as well," Snitker said.
The Braves won both of Fried's contests against the Marlins and
six of the 10 meetings overall, marking the sixth year that
Atlanta captured the season series. The Braves held distinct
advantages in the series in runs scored (68-44) and homers
(17-10), however it should be noted that the team set an NL
record for run scored and went deep seven times in a 29-9 romp
over Miami on Sept. 9.
Freeman belted a two-run homer among his three hits and six RBIs
in that high-scoring affair. The four-time All-Star went
14-for-40 with eight extra-base hits (six doubles, two homers),
11 RBIs and seven runs scored in the season series versus Miami.
As for the upstart Marlins, they seemingly have embraced their
"Bottom Feeders" nickname bestowed upon them by former
Philadelphia pitcher-turned-television-analyst Ricky Bottalico
following the Phillies' season-opening loss. They have played
the underdog role to the hilt, securing an elusive postseason
berth and winning in their first playoff appearance since
capturing the World Series title in 2003.
"You know what we've been through, right?" manager Don Mattingly
shouted to his players.
Mattingly said Sunday that the Marlins haven't made a
determination on the status of outfielder Starling Marte, who is
nursing a broken left hand. Marte apparently will not undergo
surgery, but the Marlins are expected to platoon
left-handed-hitting Magneuris Sierra and right-handed-hitting
Lewis Brinson or Monte Harrison.
Mattingly also did not announce a starting pitcher for the
series opener.
Hard-throwing right-hander Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 1.35 ERA) is a
likely candidate after allowing just one solo homer and two
other hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 5-1 victory versus the Cubs
on Wednesday.
Alcantara, 25, has yet to record a decision in three career
starts against Atlanta, however he owns a 2.41 ERA and 1.13 WHIP
versus the club while limiting it to a .176 batting average.
--Field Level Media
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