Braves vs. Marlins Game 2 Prediction and Odds for Saturday, August 13 (Can Marlins Score on Anderson?)

The Atlanta Braves hope to keep pace in the NL East with a sweep of the Miami Marlins in today's double-header.

Ian Anderson gets the start in Game 2, coming off a poor performance against the Mets in which he gave up four runs in just 4.2 innings. He's struggled with consistency and command, but the Braves won five of his last six starts regardless.

Miami hasn't officially announced a starter, but it's expected Nick Neidert will make his second start after giving up two runs to those Mets in 5.2 innings. Neidert looked stellar in his last two minor league starts as well, allowing a mere two runs over 13 innings.

Can Miami pull out a victory behind Neidert or will Atlanta stay hot?

Here are the consensus odds to help us pick a winner in this Braves vs Marlins matchup:

Braves vs Marlins Game 2 Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Braves: -1.5 (-106)
• Marlins: +1.5 (-115)

Moneyline:

• Braves: -179
• Marlins: +150

Total:

• 8 (Over -106/Under -113)

Braves vs. Marlins Game 2 Prediction and Pick

If the Braves found a magic lamp and had one wish, it'd be to fix whatever is going on with Ian Anderson this season. He's been the only real wart on the roster, and even still Atlanta is 10-3 in his last 13 starts.

This is a team fully capable of winning a second consecutive World Series. If Anderson can return to the form that made him one of MLB's premier young pitchers, the Braves are off to the races.

A matchup with Miami might be just what the doctor ordered, as the Marlins rank 25th in OPS against right-handed pitchers since the All-Star break and are 1-11 in their last dozen games as home underdogs. In those 12 contests, their lineup scored more than three runs once (scoring four), averaging a pathetic 2.33 runs per game.

But I must admit, Neidert is impressive. He's yet to allow more than two runs in a single minor league start, and he found more success against the Mets than Anderson did. Atlanta has had a difficult time closing out series sweeps, and double-headers are always a bit funky.

Thus, I'm inclined to back the Marlins as home underdogs. In Anderson's last five road starts, he's had an expected FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) below 4.32 just once, with three outings above 6.31. Chris Flexen has MLB's worst expected FIP at 5.08, so Anderson's road numbers are bad.

Let's get weird. Miami salvages a win in the series as the lineup finally gets rolling thanks to Anderson's struggles.

Pick: Marlins ML (+150)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.