Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Braves at Marlins

Atlanta Braves (12-10) at Miami Marlins (9-5)

Sunday, August 16th, 1:10 PM EDT

Projected Starters

LHP Robbie Erlin (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs RHP Elieser Hernandez (0-0, 2.79 ERA)

Game Preview

The Marlins have only played 14 games this season but, after winning nine of those, it's clear they've been one of the most surprising teams in the National League this season. The same can be said about the Atlanta Braves, but from a different perspective – they were expected to be much better but have been extremely inconsistent. The pitching matchup for this contest will feature a righty, Elieser Henandez, for the Marlins and a lefty, Robbie Erlin, for the Braves. Erlin is a reliever who will work as an opener and, in a best-case scenario, could throw three to four innings. With that in mind, the Marlins' hurler looks like a decent fantasy option – especially since he has racked up 10 strikeouts in just 9.2 innings this season.

Injuries

Atlanta Braves

Ronald Acuna - 10-Day IL - Wrist

8/15 1:15 PM EST - Acuna will be placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 10, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Acuna, who will be eligible to return Aug. 21, was reportedly still sore when he came into the stadium Saturday and the team felt it would not be smart to try and push its young superstar through the injury. While Acuna is on the shelf, Ender Inciarte figures to receive the majority of playing time in center field.

Matt Adams - 10-Day IL - Hamstring

8/13 11:15 AM EST - Braves manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Adams (hamstring) to be ready to return from the 10-day injured list next week, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Adams is eligible to come off the IL this weekend, but the 31-year-old hasn't demonstrated enough progress in his recovery from the strained left hamstring at this point to gear up for a return. Until Adams is able to run the bases without any discomfort, the Braves likely won't be able to pinpoint a target date for his return to the active roster.

Ozzie Albies - 10-Day IL - Wrist

8/14 2:55 PM EST - Albies (wrist) took swings off a tee Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. It's the first indication of the 23-year-old participating in baseball activities since being placed on the injured list Aug. 5. Manager Brian Snitker said he doesn't expect Albies to be activated next week, so he's unlikely to rejoin the Braves until late August. Johan Camargo should continue to see the bulk of the work at the keystone in his absence.

Cole Hamels - 60-Day IL - Triceps

7/23 1:57 PM EST - Hamels (triceps) was placed on the 45-day injured list Thursday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Not much has gone right for Hamels since he signed with the Braves; he dealt with a shoulder issue early in camp before landing on the IL last week with triceps tendinitis. Following this most recent move, the southpaw will be sidelined until at least the beginning of September. Kyle Wright and Josh Tomlin are candidates to fill in for Hamels in the rotation.

Felix Hernandez - Out - Opt Out

7/4 7:58 PM EST - Hernandez will opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns regarding COVID-19, according to his agent, Wilfredo Polidor. The veteran right-hander was included on the team's 60-player roster pool and was competing with Sean Newcomb for a spot in the starting rotation, but he'll elect to sit out the 60-game season to help protect himself and his family, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Hernandez joins the growing list of players who have opted out, including David Price, Ryan Zimmerman, Welington Castillo and Joe Ross. Kyle Wright figures to be the next man up to compete for a rotation spot for Atlanta.

Chris Martin - 10-Day IL - Neck

8/7 12:46 PM EST - Martin was placed on the 10-day injured list with an esophageal constriction Friday. Martin last pitched Wednesday and delivered a scoreless inning, and it's unclear when and how he suffered the injury. The 34-year-old has no official timeline for his return.

Philip Pfeifer - 60-Day IL - Elbow

7/21 8:42 AM EST - Pfeifer was placed on the 45-day injured list Tuesday with a bone contusion in his left elbow, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports. Pfeifer didn't seem likely to fill a significant role in the Braves' bullpen this season, as he's a 28-year-old who's yet to reach the majors. He'll now be ineligible to make his debut until early September at the earliest.

Mike Soroka - 60-Day IL - Achilles

8/8 3:25 PM EST - Soroka underwent successful surgery on his torn right Achilles' tendon Friday. Soroka had to be helped off the field after suffering the injury in his third start of the season against the Mets on Monday. He'll be out for the remainder of the season, and his readiness for Opening Day next year is in doubt as well.

Jeremy Walker - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

6/26 11:36 AM EST - Walker was placed on the 45-day injured list Friday with a right shoulder impingement. The 25-year-old suffered the injury early in spring camp and was never provided an official timetable for his return, but he clearly needs more time to recover. Walker made his big-league debut in 2019 and allowed two runs over 9.1 innings, but it's unclear if he'll be able to play during the shortened 2020 season.

Jacob Webb - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

7/21 8:30 AM EST - Webb was placed on the 45-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Tuesday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports. Webb could have played a role in Atlanta's bullpen this season, as he produced a strong 1.39 ERA in his 32.1-inning debut last year, but he'll now be sidelined for at least the majority of the campaign. It's not clear when he's expected to return, but he won't be eligible to do so until early September.

Miami Marlins

Sandy Alcantara - Covid-19 - Not Injury Related

8/15 9:40 AM EST - Alcantara (illness) was cleared for reinstatement Sunday and will begin working at the Marlins' alternate training site, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports. Alcantara was one of the Marlins who tested positive for COVID-19 in early august, but he'll resume baseball activities in Jupiter prior to rejoining the major-league roster. It's unclear what shape the right-hander is in, but a better timeline for his return to the big leagues could come into focus once he's able to work at alternate camp.

Jorge Alfaro - Covid-19 - Illness

7/26 10:49 AM EST - Alfaro is on the injured list due to a positive COVID-19 test, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. He will need back-to-back negative tests to be cleared to rejoin the team. In addition to Alfaro, Jose Urena, Garrett Cooper and Harold Ramirez have also tested positive. Francisco Cervelli and Chad Wallach will handle the catching duties for now.

Richard Bleier - 10-Day IL - Triceps

8/8 2:45 PM EST - Bleier was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left triceps strain Saturday. Bleier made just four appearances for the Marlins after coming over from the Orioles in a trade on the final day of July. It's not clear how much time he's expected to miss.

Jeff Brigham - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 3:41 PM EST - Brigham (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Brigham was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Brigham's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Edward Cabrera - Out - Arm

7/27 11:20 AM EST - Cabrera hasn't been throwing at the Marlins' alternate training site over the past week due to a minor right arm injury, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. Miami was already without one of its starting pitchers (Jose Urena) due to a positive COVID-19 test, and the team's pitching staff could be further depleted after a surge in additional positive tests among Marlins players and coaches in recent days resulted in the postponement of Monday's home opener versus the Orioles. Cabrera would have been one of the prime candidates to fill any potential openings in the rotation that might exist, but his own injury will leave him out of the mix for the time being. The 22-year-old right-hander is viewed as one of the top arms in the Miami farm system after he submitted a 2.23 ERA and recorded 116 strikeouts over 96.2 innings between High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville in 2019.

Adam Conley - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 3:59 PM EST - Conley (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Conley was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Conley's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Garrett Cooper - Covid-19 - Illness

7/27 2:17 PM EST - Cooper (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports. Cooper was one of several Marlins to test positive for COVID-19 recently, and he'll officially be placed on the injured list as a result. Under MLB protocol, he'll have to produce two negative tests before he's allowed to rejoin the team. Jonathan Villar could take over as the primary designated hitter in Cooper's absence.

Isan Diaz - Out - Opt Out

8/4 4:39 PM EST - The Marlins placed Diaz on the restricted list Friday. Miami made the roster move after Diaz informed the club of his plans to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. His placement on the restricted list cleared a spot on the 40-man roster and in the Marlins' 60-man roster pool.

Corey Dickerson - Bereavement - Not Injury Related

8/15 11:56 AM EST - Dickerson was placed on the bereavement list Saturday. Dickerson was excluded from the lineup for Saturday's game against Atlanta, and he'll miss several more days while on the bereavement list. Lewis Brinson and Magneuris Sierra could see an increase in playing time while Dickerson is sidelined. Infielder Lewin Diaz was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Robert Dugger - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 4:04 PM EST - Dugger was placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Dugger was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Dugger's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Dax Fulton - Out - Elbow

6/11 2:17 PM EST - The Marlins have selected Fulton (elbow) with the 40th overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft. Despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in September, Fulton is still the clear top prep lefty in this year's draft. At 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, he has rare size for a southpaw, and the expectation is that his low-90s fastball will tick up and become a true plus pitch in time. His best pitch is a plus curveball with excellent depth. His command and third-pitch changeup have a ways to go, but he could end up being one of the best pitchers in a historically deep pitching class if he hits his ceiling. He could be ready to throw off a mound by fall instructs.

Yimi Garcia - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 4:02 PM EST - Garcia (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Garcia was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Garcia's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Jordan Holloway - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/2 6:53 PM EST - Holloway was placed on the 10-day injured list for an undisclosed reason Sunday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. The Marlins didn't provide a reason for the transaction, and it's unclear whether Holloway's absence is related to the team's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The right-hander made his major-league debut Sunday against the Phillies, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk while recording one out in relief. Pitchers James Hoyt and Brian Moran were added in corresponding moves.

Mike Morin - 10-Day IL - Elbow

8/14 12:39 PM EST - Morin was placed on the 10-day injured list with a UCL injury in his right elbow Friday. Morin left Wednesday's game with the injury. While the transaction was made retroactive to Thursday, meaning he'll be eligible to return Aug. 23, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to do so, given that the Marlins' update specified that the injury was to his UCL. The exact nature of the injury is not yet clear. Josh D. Smith was recalled in a corresponding move.

Nick Neidert - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 4:01 PM EST - Neidert (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Neidert was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Neidert's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Harold Ramirez - Covid-19 - Illness

7/27 2:21 PM EST - Ramirez (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports. Ramirez landed on the injured list along with several of his teammates as part of the Marlins' coronavirus outbreak. It's unclear whether Ramirez is experiencing symptoms, but he'll have to produce two negative tests before he's allowed to return to the team. Jon Berti should see an uptick in playing time in his absence.

Sean Rodriguez - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 3:57 PM EST - Rodriguez was placed on the 10-day injured list for an undisclosed reason Tuesday, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. The Marlins didn't provide a reason for Tuesday's move, and if his absence is related to the team's COVID-19 outbreak, the team wouldn't legally be allowed to say so without Rodriguez's permission. The 35-year-old hadn't appeared in any of the Marlins' first three games this season, and it's unclear when he'll return to the field. Rodriguez hit .223/.348/.375 with 24 runs, 12 RBI and 41 strikeouts over 76 appearances with the Phillies last year.

Miguel Rojas - Covid-19 - Not Injury Related

8/15 9:55 AM EST - Rojas (illness) was reinstated Saturday by the MLB's joint committee and will report to the Marlins' alternate training site, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports. Rojas was one of several Marlins who tested positive for COVID-19 during the team outbreak that occurred in late July. He was off to a blistering start, going 7-for-10 with a home run, five RBI and a stolen base in just three games before he was sidelined. There is no doubt Rojas' productivity will take a hit once he officially returns, but he should be slotted in as the team's everyday shortstop which definitely gives him enough appeal to be added in a majority of leagues. A clearer timeline of his return to the 28-man roster should be known in the coming days.

Caleb Smith - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 3:48 PM EST - Smith (undisclosed) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Smith was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Smith's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Ryne Stanek - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 4:00 PM EST - Stanek (undisclosed) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Stanek was among the 13 Marlins placed on the injured list ahead of the team's return to play after a COVID-19 outbreak. However, a specific reason for Stanek's placement on the injured list wasn't announced.

Drew Steckenrider - 60-Day IL - Triceps

7/23 10:17 AM EST - Steckenrider was placed on the 45-day injured list Thursday with right triceps tendinitis, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports. It's unclear when Steckenrider picked up the injury, but it will keep him sidelined for a good chunk of the shortened 2020 season. The right-hander figures to fill a middle-relief role if he returns at some point later in the season.

Jose Urena - Covid-19 - Illness

7/27 2:12 PM EST - Urena (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports. Urena was one of several Marlins to test positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, and Monday's transaction frees up a roster spot in his absence. The right-hander reportedly feels fine and will be eligible to return to the team once he produces two negative tests. Justin Shafer and Josh D. Smith were claimed off waivers from the Reds in corresponding moves Monday.

Alex Vesia - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/2 6:46 PM EST - Vesia was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday for an undisclosed reason, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. The Marlins provided no reason for the transaction, and it's unclear whether Vesia's absence is related to the team's ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The southpaw took a loss in his MLB debut in the team's second game of the season, and the length of his stay on the injured list remains to be seen. The Marlins added pitchers James Hoyt and Brian Moran in corresponding moves.

Chad Wallach - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

8/4 4:02 PM EST - Wallach was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday for an undisclosed reason, Jared Diamond of The Wall Street Journal reports. Wallach earned an Opening Day roster spot as the Marlins' third catcher, but he'll be sidelined after Tuesday's move. The team didn't provide an explanation for the transaction. If his absence is related to the COVID-19 outbreak among the team's players, the Marlins wouldn't be allowed to say so without his permission. Francisco Cervelli and Ryan Lavarnway should handle the catching duties with Wallach on the injured list.

Marlins Expected Lineup

SP - Elieser Hernandez

1. Jonathan Villar

2. Jon Berti

3. Jesus Aguilar

4. Brian Anderson

5. Matt Joyce

6. Logan Forsythe

7. Francisco Cervelli

8. Monte Harrison

9. Magneuris Sierra

Braves Expected Lineup

SP - Robbie Erlin

1. Dansby Swanson

2. Travis d'Arnaud

3. Freddie Freeman

4. Marcell Ozuna

5. Nick Markakis

6. Adam Duvall

7. Austin Riley

8. Johan Camargo

9. Ender Inciarte

Top Picks From Each Team

Marcell Ozuna, Braves: Ozuna should be Atlanta's main offensive threat now that Ronald Acuna will head to the injury list. The veteran outfielder, who will be facing his former team, has been seeing the ball well this season and should be a popular pick due to his power. Ozuna is now up to five homers and 12 RBI through 22 games.

Jesus Aguilar, Marlins: Aguilar went 1-for-4 Saturday against Atlanta, but he could be a solid fantasy asset in this matchup – especially since he hits at the top of the order and the Braves will employ a reliever as an "opener". Aguilar has four homers with 15 RBI this season while hitting .302 with a .899 OPS.

Captaincy Options

1. Marcell Ozuna
2. Freddie Freeman
3. Jesus Aguilar
4. Travis d'Arnaud

Dream11 Team

P – Elieser Hernandez

C – Travis d'Arnaud

IF – Jesus Aguilar

IF – Freddie Freeman (VC)

OF – Marcell Ozuna (C)

OF – Jonathan Villar

OF – Ender Inciarte

OF – Adam Duvall

OF – Austin Riley