Miami Marlins vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2025

Braves Look to Overcome Sale Injury, Win Series in Miami

The Atlanta Braves are riding a wave of momentum, but now they face their biggest test of the season. After losing their ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Chris Sale, to a significant injury, the Atlanta Braves must prove their depth and resilience. Their first challenge comes on Sunday afternoon, as they aim to win their fourth consecutive series in the finale against the host Miami Marlins.

Next Man Up: Braves Face Life Without Their Ace

The mood in the Atlanta clubhouse took a major hit this week with the news that Chris Sale suffered fractured ribs after diving for a ground ball in his last start. The injury will sideline him for an extended period, leaving a massive hole at the top of the rotation for a team with championship aspirations. The impact of losing an ace is a critical factor, a topic explored deeply in our expert betting guide.

“It’s just a freak thing, an unfortunate thing,” a somber Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “With bones like that, they’ve got to heal before you can start the process, but I have no idea how long it will be.”

The team responded well in their first game without him, as starter Grant Holmes and three relievers combined for a 7-0 shutout victory on Saturday. The performance underscored the new reality in Atlanta: everyone has to step up. “It’s a big blow, but we’re going to come to the ballpark and try to put some W’s on the board every day,” said Holmes, who pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings. “He’s a very big part of this team. Having Chris Sale in the clubhouse speaks for itself. He’s a great leader. A great teammate. A great friend.”

The Elder Equation: Which Version Will Show Up?

The first pitcher tasked with filling one of those crucial starts is right-hander Bryce Elder (2-4, 4.45 ERA). Elder is being reinserted into the rotation after being skipped his last time through, and his recent results have been a mixed bag. In his most recent start on June 13, he struggled, allowing four runs in just 3 1/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies. However, the matchup on Sunday should provide him with a major dose of confidence. Throughout his career, Elder has absolutely dominated the Marlins, compiling a 2-2 record but with a stellar 2.89 ERA in eight starts. The question for the Braves is which version of Elder will take the mound: the one who has struggled recently, or the one who has consistently shut down Miami?

The Resurgence of Sandy Alcantara

While the Braves are dealing with the loss of their ace, the Marlins are celebrating the return to form of their own. Sandy Alcantara (3-8, 6.88 ERA), the 2022 NL Cy Young winner, is finally looking like his old self after a brutal start to the season following his return from Tommy John surgery. After posting ERAs north of 8.00 in both April and May, the right-hander has found his groove in June, posting a sparkling 2.12 ERA in his three starts this month. He has allowed just two total runs over his last two outings, spanning 12 innings. A strong performance against a top-tier Braves lineup would be another massive step in his comeback journey and would provide a huge boost for a struggling Marlins team. This duel between a pitcher with a great history against his opponent and a former ace on the rebound will be a major focus on the scores and odds board.

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Marlins Searching for a Spark at Home

The Marlins have dropped three of their last four games and were shut out on Saturday. The loss came in front of their second-largest home crowd of the season, and manager Clayton McCullough is hoping that fan energy can carry over into Sunday’s finale and give his team a lift. “It was great to have some buzz in the stadium,” McCullough said. “It’s unfortunate the final score looks the way it is… it was a great atmosphere… and hope for more of those to come.” A series win against one of the best MLB teams would be a huge accomplishment for Miami. To see if our experts think the Braves can overcome their big injury, check out our daily MLB picks.