Game Thread 131: Marlins vs. Braves

Please leave any Icthy picks in the comments below. Remember, we introduced a new grand prize for the contest this season.

Matchup Summary

A few “hold your breath” moments for Marlins pitching on Friday night, including a loooooong Adam Duvall fly ball to the right field wall in the ninth inning that nearly tied the game. But credit to Dan Straily for six strong innings and to Derek Dietrich for his two-out hit that delivered what proved to be the deciding run. The 1-0 final score marked Miami’s first shutout performance of August and evened the series with the Braves.

Speaking of Straily, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that he’s been pulled back by the Marlins after being claimed on waivers by another team. In other words, the veteran right-hander is staying through the rest of the 2018 season. That being said, a strong September could position him to be a serious trade candidate over the winter.

Let’s turn our attention to Saturday’s contest. My lineup notes:

• Brian Anderson gets a breather. He had started 128 of the first 130 games. Though BA has remained a solid overall player, his lack of second-half power—one home run since the All-Star break—is a sign of somebody who could benefit from a night off.
• Atlanta’s starting position players have only been in the lineup together once before—a 4-2 loss to the Brewers on August 11.
• Wei-Yin Chen’s home/road splits remain among the most extreme in MLB history. The biggest keys to his 2.05 ERA at Marlins Park are keeping the ball in play and neutralizing left-handed opponents (in this case, Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis).

Thread Question: It’s Players’ Weekend! What would your nickname be?