The Braves send right-hander William Perez to the mound Friday night in Miami in the hopes of halting their season opening nine-game skid.
A loss tonight would match the team's worst start since the 1988 Braves lost their first 10 games, en route to 106-loss year. This year's squad is just the third in franchise history to start 0-9.
Vegas oddsmakers give the Marlins a confident edge to win the opener of the three-game series. The Braves are coming off a 6-2 loss to the Nationals in Washington. The Marlins (3-4), who were off Thursday, won 2-of-3 against the Mets in New York.
On the bright side, the Braves went 10-9 against the Marlins, and scored more runs (84) against Miami than any other team last season.
Perez pitched 4-2/3 innings, allowing four earned on three hits and a 7.71 ERA in his first start this season.
He is 4-1 in his last fives starts - dating back to last season - against National League East opponents. On the other hand, he is 1-4 in his last five Friday starts.
