Braves Look to Hold off Surging Giants
Braves vs. Giants Best Odds: Highlighting Trends to Consider
Highlighting the MLB schedule today is the start of a four-game set between the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Both teams find themselves battling for the National League wild card, with Atlanta holding a slim lead on San Francisco for the final spot.
The Giants are +1.5 (-218) on the run line and -115 on the moneyline for Monday’s opener (9:45 p.m. ET), with the Braves priced -1.5 (+180) and -105. The projected total is 6.5 with a slight edge to the Under at -112 odds.
The teams are evenly priced at -110 to win the series.
What can bettors expect? Before diving into the Braves vs Giants best odds, check out our MLB series preview.
Braves vs Giants Betting Trends 
The Atlanta Braves are 51-66 against the run line, producing the third-worst cover rate (43.6%) in the majors. The Braves are also just 46-66-5 against the Over/Under, though the Over’s hit in six straight.
The San Francisco Giants, meanwhile, are 58-62 against the run line. They’ve been far more profitable for Over/Under bettors, going 63-54-3. The Over’s hit in six of their last nine.
It’s important to remember these betting trends when assessing the Braves vs Giants best odds.
Braves Barely Holding On
The Braves have hit the skids, losing seven of their last eight to fall to 61-56. They’re still technically in a playoff spot, though their hold on the third and final wild card in the National League has been whittled to a half-game.
Those concerns were exacerbated following Sunday’s 9-8 loss to Colorado, in which they blew a six-run lead in the eighth inning. The Braves had been 48-2 when leading after seven.
Oddsmakers remain relatively bullish despite the Braves’ struggles, pricing them -145 to make the playoffs. They are also +1000 to win the NL.
Injuries have compromised the Braves’ once-potent lineup, with outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (torn ACL) and second baseman Ozzie Albies (fractured wrist) representing the two biggest casualties. Designated hitter Marcel Ozuna has done much of the heavy lifting in their absence, ranking among the MLB home run leaders with 35 longballs.
Despite hitting the fourth-most home runs in the majors, the Braves rank just 18th in runs scored (4.3 per game). That’s a stark contrast to last season when they led the majors in scoring at 5.8 per game.
Nearly 59% of Atlanta’s games have trended toward the Under, the highest rate in baseball.
Fast Risers
The Giants (61-59) are among the teams nipping on Atlanta’s heels, having climbed within 1.5 games of the final NL playoff spot. They are 7-3 over their last 10 games and 14-9 since the All-Star break.
As such, the Giants’ MLB playoff odds have improved to +350. Both New York (61-57) and St. Louis (60-58) are also firmly in the hunt.
The Giants are a bit of an oddity in that they have a negative run differential (-5), but things are trending up. Third baseman Matt Chapman has had a big hand in San Francisco’s recent success, hitting .325 with an OPS of 1.111 in August. He also has 12 RBI, one shy of his most for any month.
San Francisco has been a liability for bettors in spite of its recent success, covering in only 47.5% of its games. That includes a record of 25-34 against the run line at Oracle Park, compared to 33-28 on the road.
Series Probables
⚾Game 1⚾
Monday, 9:45 p.m. ET
Chris Sale vs Blake Snell
Sale has solidified himself as the frontrunner for NL Cy Young (+100) in his first year as a Brave, starting 13-3 with a 2.75 ERA. The eight-time All-Star is tied for the Major League lead in wins and also ranks top 10 in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.
The left-hander stymied San Francisco last month, giving up only one run on three hits over six innings in a 3-1 win.
He opposes Snell, who has a 1.15 ERA across six starts since coming off the IL in July. The reigning NL Cy Young winner — who threw his first-career no-hitter against Cincinnati on Aug. 2 — has struck out eight or more in three straight outings.
Be sure to keep that in mind when analyzing the Braves vs Giants best odds.
⚾Game 2⚾
Tuesday, 9:45 p.m. ET
Charlie Morton vs Kyle Harrison
Morton looks to bounce back after getting tagged for a season-high eight runs in a loss to Milwaukee. He’s now given up 20 runs over his last six appearances (6.20 ERA), an alarming trend for the 40-year-old right-hander.
The Giants counter with Harrison, who has an 8.64 ERA in two starts this month. The young left-hander’s overall numbers are better (4.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), though he continues to struggle with his control. He’s issued at least one walk in five of his last six appearances since returning from the IL on July 6.
⚾Game 3⚾
Wednesday, 9:45 p.m. ET
Grant Holmes vs Robbie Ray
Holmes has made 13 appearances as a Brave, though this would be only his fourth start. The right-hander has a 6.13 ERA since shifting to the rotation on July 29. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings in relief against San Francisco last month.
Ray, meanwhile, owns a 3.98 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in four starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. The left-hander threw a season-high 105 pitches in his last outing, Friday against Detroit.
⚾Game 4⚾
Thursday, 3:45 p.m. ET
Max Fried vs Logan Webb
Fried has scuffled since his second All-Star appearance, giving up five runs in back-to-back starts to Miami and Colorado. The left-hander has a 3.56 ERA on the season.
Webb, meanwhile, owns a 3.32 ERA and leads the Giants in wins, with 10. He stymied the Braves last month, holding them to two runs over seven innings in a 4-2 victory.
Braves vs Giants best odds
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