The Atlanta Braves are looking to turn their season around as they face the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Braves, currently at 3-9, are led by pitcher Bryce Elder, who has had a rocky start, holding a 6.75 ERA. The Rays come into this matchup at 5-7, with Taj Bradley on the mound, who has recorded a 4.91 ERA thus far. The Rays are struggling after losing two of three games to the Angels, including a devastating 11-1 loss in their last outing. The Braves, on the other hand, just secured a series victory against the Phillies, highlighted by a dramatic walk-off home run from Marcell Ozuna.

Betting odds favor the Rays at -118, indicating their slight edge despite recent form issues. The total runs set at 8.0 presents an intriguing opportunity for bettors, as the Braves' offense appears to be gaining momentum. Expert predictions lean towards taking the Rays on the moneyline while suggesting a bet on the over for total runs. This matchup promises to be a critical juncture for both teams as they look to gain traction in their respective seasons.

In the National League East, job battles are heating up as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the season. For the Atlanta Braves, the right field position is under scrutiny with Bryan De La Cruz and Jarred Kelenic vying for a spot until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from injury. Kelenic, despite a promising start, struggled last season, while De La Cruz hopes to capitalize on the opportunity. The Braves' starting rotation sees Grant Holmes as a frontrunner for the fifth starter role, with Ian Anderson also in the mix after recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins face significant uncertainty in multiple positions. The catcher position remains up for grabs between Agustin Ramirez and Nick Fortes, both lacking strong offensive credentials. At first base and DH, options like Deyvison De Los Santos are not expected to break camp with the team, indicating a potentially tough season ahead for the Marlins. In contrast, the New York Mets are poised to leverage their depth, with players like Luisangel Acuña competing to fill in for the aging Jeff McNeil.