Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins meet Saturday at loanDepot park, with the opening pitch scheduled for 4:10 PM ET and the game televised on MLB.TV. This is the next-to-last regular-season game for both teams. Atlanta is 93-66, first in the NL East, and has clinched the division. The Braves lost 7-6 to Cincinnati in their most recent result and are 5-5 over their last 10. Miami is 78-81, third in the NL East, and has been eliminated from playoff contention. The Marlins lost 2-1 to Chicago on Thursday and are 5-5 over their last 10. Let’s get into the matchup and our free MLB picks.

Atlanta Braves Trying to Bounce Back After a Close Loss

Atlanta has split its last four games, with wins over Houston and Cincinnati mixed around two losses to the Reds. The Braves fell 7-6 on Thursday after beating Cincinnati 3-2 in 10 innings the previous day. Michael Harris II leads Atlanta with a .292 average and 170 hits, along with 26 home runs, 86 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Matt Olson has supplied the most power with 41 home runs and 91 RBI while batting .253. Drake Baldwin is batting .283 with 24 homers, 77 RBI and a .358 on-base percentage, while Ronald Acuna Jr. has 20 home runs in 105 games.

Atlanta is batting .248 with 731 runs, 201 home runs, a .311 on-base percentage and .411 slugging percentage. The Braves rank ninth in MLB batting and fifth in pitching with a 3.60 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .233 opponent average. Atlanta pitchers have recorded 1,329 strikeouts while allowing 177 home runs. The Braves are 41-37 away from home and own a +116 run differential. Atlanta also ranks fourth in fielding with 65 errors and a .988 fielding percentage.

Injuries: Joe Jimenez (out), Reynaldo Lopez (out), Bryce Elder (out), Lane Thomas (out), Martin Perez (out).

Miami Marlins Returning Home After a Tight Defeat

Miami has won two of its last five, with both victories coming against the Cubs. The Marlins beat Chicago 8-2 in 12 innings and 3-2 before losing the series finale 2-1. Otto Lopez has been Miami’s top contact hitter, batting .304 with 188 hits, 11 home runs, 71 RBI and 34 stolen bases. Heriberto Hernandez leads the club with 24 homers and has 64 RBI. Kyle Stowers has added 21 home runs and 65 RBI, while Xavier Edwards is batting .280 with a .360 on-base percentage and 21 stolen bases.

The Marlins are batting .248 with 704 runs, 163 home runs, a .326 on-base percentage and .399 slugging percentage. Miami ranks seventh in MLB batting and 14th in pitching with a 4.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and .236 opponent average. The pitching staff has recorded 1,296 strikeouts while allowing 167 home runs. Miami is 45-33 at loanDepot park with a +3 run differential. The Marlins have committed 98 errors with a .983 fielding percentage.

Injuries: Xavier Edwards (questionable), Owen Caissie (out), Anthony Bender (out), Max Meyer (out), Ronny Henriquez (out).

Pitching Matchup

Atlanta Braves - Undecided

Atlanta Braves had not yet announced its starting pitcher at the time this preview was written.

Miami Marlins - Sandy Alcantara

Sandy Alcantara is 13-11 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 213 innings. He has allowed 204 hits and 24 home runs while recording 152 strikeouts and 59 walks.

Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins Game Pick

• Atlanta Braves

Atlanta is the pick with the Braves at 93-66 and already holding the NL East title. Atlanta has the larger power numbers with 201 home runs compared with Miami’s 163, while the Braves’ pitching staff has a 3.60 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .233 opponent average. Miami starter Sandy Alcantara has a 3.89 ERA across 213 innings, but Atlanta has the deeper season numbers on the mound. The Braves also own a +116 run differential, compared with Miami at +3.

Atlanta Braves vs Miami Marlins Over/Under Pick

• under

The play is under after Miami scored three runs or fewer in three of its last five games, including a 2-1 loss in its most recent result. Alcantara has a 3.89 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 213 innings, while Atlanta’s pitching staff ranks fifth in MLB with a 3.60 ERA. Miami has hit 163 home runs, well below Atlanta’s 201, and the Marlins have a 4.10 team ERA. Recent Miami scoring and the pitching numbers make a lower-scoring game the likelihood Saturday.