Takeaways from Atlanta's series-ending loss to the Miami Marlins

The Atlanta Braves lost Sunday's series finale, 16-2 to the Miami Marlins in loanDepot Park. Here's what you need to know from the contest:

Miami exorcised some demons in these three games

The Marlins struggled this season against Atlanta - in their first nine games against the Braves, Miami was 1-8 with a -43 run differential.

Atlanta hitters absolutely pummeled Marlins pitching this season, including tagging young phenom Eury Perez for six runs in only a third of an inning back in July.

Miami got some vengeance this weekend.

Marlins hitters launched eighteen extra-base hits in the three game series, including ten homers. Three of those homers came from notoriously-light hitting Luis Arraez, while Jazz Chisholm hit grand slams in two consecutive games.

(In the wildest statline you've seen, Jazz went 1-2 with four RBIs and four runs scored today, thanks to his three walks)

Definitely a series to forget for Braves pitching.

Atlanta hitters couldn't figure out lefty Jesús Luzardo

The Braves have faced, by far, the least number of lefty starters in baseball. Most teams know that Atlanta's good against lefties and adjust their rotation accordingly.

Miami chose to let it ride, and Luzardo rewarded them for the faith.

Luzardo went six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks but striking out eight. Atlanta hit two singles and two doubles (both by leadoff man Ozzie Albies) off of Luzardo, but couldn't seem to find the final hit to bring any of those runners in.

Atlanta left one runner stranded in the 2nd, two in the 3rd, and saw a strikeout with the bases loaded and two outs in the 4th end their best scoring threat of the game. Braves hitters finished 0-7 with runners in scoring position against Luzardo, stranding seven.

Atlanta picked up a solo shot from Marcell Ozuna and some base hits to score two runs in the top of the eighth to avoid the shutout, but it wasn't nearly enough to mount a serious comeback.

Charlie Morton's future is a little less clear

We've talked plenty about Charlie Morton having a club option for $20M that Atlanta's all but certain to exercise, provided he wants to come back and pitch one more year.

That's perhaps a bigger question than we realized.

In the aftermath of the National League East crown, multiple media members caught up with Morton and all got the same response when they asked about next season:

I don't know.

Morton, who turns 40 in November, has made it clear that he hasn't decided about if he'll come back or not next season. His results have been fine, for the most part - a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts this season.

But there's family to consider, and Morton's cognizant of how much time with the kids he has missed:

The most valuable commodity is time,” Morton told Justin Toscano of the AJC ($). “It’s literally priceless. The time I’m spending right now is time that I could be spending with my family. [...] If my kids are at home and they’re like, ‘Dad, stop playing,’ it’s really hard.”

Today wasn't the type of result Morton wanted - 4.2 innings with six runs (five earned) on six hits, with five walks and five strikeouts - but at this point in his career, individual games don't really matter that much:

"At some point, though, if you’re successful enough in the game to get to that point (having financial stability), then it’s not about that anymore,” he said. “It could be about making the most of the opportunity that you have and the dreams that you had when you were a kid."

What's next for the Atlanta Braves?

Atlanta returns home for a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies, who are currently leading the NL Wild Card race. Atlanta's sending Kyle Wright to the mound in Max Fried's place, with the first pitch at 7:20 PM ET. The broadcast will be on Bally Sports South.

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise from FOCO