The Atlanta Braves (39-46) are set to face off against the Los Angeles Angels (42-43) this Thursday night at Truist Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. EDT and broadcast live on FDSW.
Atlanta comes into this matchup as a -150 favorite on the moneyline, while the Angels are listed at +125 for an upset victory. The over/under for the game is established at 9 total runs.
For this game, the recommended betting strategy is to place a wager on the Angels to win the first five innings at +105 odds. This bet appears to be a strategic play given recent performances from both teams’ starting pitchers.
Angels pitcher José Soriano had a tough outing in his last start against Washington, allowing 8 earned runs. However, prior to that, he excelled with just 2 earned runs over 20.2 innings in a three-start stretch. His solid SIERA of 3.82 and xFIP of 3.47 indicate good underlying pitching metrics. Notably, Soriano demonstrated strikeout potential with 35 Ks over 28.1 innings in June.
On the other hand, Braves pitcher Bryce Elder has struggled lately, posting an ERA of 8.25 over his last five starts and yielding 18 earned runs in just three games, including 5 home runs. His performance has raised concerns about his consistency, which could be a factor in today’s game.
The Braves have faced difficulties at the plate against right-handed pitching, ranking in the bottom five for OPS, wOBA, and wRC+ since early June. Conversely, the Angels lineup includes five hitters boasting an ISO of .188 or higher against right-handers this season, signifying their capability for power hitting.
In light of these factors, the recommendation is firmly placed on the Angels to take control early in the game. As baseball fans look forward to this matchup, it presents an opportunity for the Angels to leverage their offensive strengths against an ailing Braves pitching staff.
In summary, while expectations are high for the Braves to perform as favorites, the statistics and team forms suggest a closely contested game, with a potential edge for the Angels in the early innings.