The Miami Marlins host the Atlanta Braves on May 18, 2026. First pitch from loanDepot park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on MIAM.
The Braves are favored by -115 on the moneyline and by -1.5 on the run line. The Marlins are -105 on the moneyline and +1.5 on the run line. The total is set at 8.5 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Braves vs Marlins prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Braves vs Marlins Prediction
- Braves vs Marlins Pick: Marlins Moneyline (-115 or Better)
My Braves vs Marlins best bet is on the Marlins Moneyline. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Braves vs Marlins Odds
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -220 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | -105 |
| Marlins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +180 | 8.5 -105o / -115u | -115 |
- Braves vs Marlins moneyline: Braves -105, Marlins -115
- Braves vs Marlins over/under: 8.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Braves vs Marlins spread: Braves -1.5 (+157), Marlins +1.5 (-182)
Braves vs Marlins Probable Pitchers
| JR Ritchie (RHP) | Stat | Max Meyer (RHP) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | W-L | 3-0 |
| -0.2 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 1.1 |
| 3.32/4.53 | ERA / xERA | 3.21/4.27 |
| 6.14/5.17 | FIP / xFIP | 3.18/3.48 |
| 2.2 | K-BB% | 18.2 |
| 43.3 | GB% | 41.4 |
| .214 | BABIP | .272 |
| 93 | Stuff+ | 97 |
| 97 | Location+ | 109 |
Braves vs Marlins MLB Betting Preview
Editor’s Note: This written pick is a transcription from today’s episode of the Payoff Pitch Podcast.
There’s a pretty big starting pitching gap in this one. I have Max Meyer as my SP50 and J.R. Ritchie as my SP145.
Ritchie just hasn’t shown he can command the baseball at the major league level yet — 16% walk rate, a 2.2% K-BB rate, and a 5.5 SIERA. There’s definitely arm talent there, but the command hasn’t come together.
This Marlins offense has been underrated. Jakob Marsee is finally starting to hit the ball a bit better, which is big for me since I’m on some of his stolen base props. Even while hitting under .200, he’s still on pace for around 45 steals.
Overall, I thought this Marlins team was underrated coming into the season. They’ve played right around their win total so far, and I think they can be even better going forward — especially with Max Meyer taking a step forward.
Meyer has been solid this year. He’s bumped up his K-BB rate to 18%, increased his whiff rate, and he’s now throwing both a slider and a sweeper, generating tons of swings and misses with both.
The gap in command between these two starters is drastic. The Atlanta Braves have the better offense and probably the better bullpen (No. 6 vs. No. 11 in my rankings), plus a 10-point edge in wRC+. But even with all that, I still make the Marlins about -125 at home.
Pick: Marlins Moneyline (-115 or Better)
