Braves vs D’Backs MLB Predictions: Pitcher Debuts

Teams Meet in Arizona in Four-Game Series

The Atlanta Braves visit the Arizona Diamondbacks in a big four-game series starting Monday in Chase Field. Atlanta won the last two games of its series with Philadelphia.

The Braves still trail the Phillies by 8.0 games and are up 2.5 in the wild card race. The Diamondbacks also won the last two games of their series with San Diego and are in third place in the NL West.

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  • The Braves are 28-19 against teams under .500, while Arizona is 20-27 against teams over .500.

Left-hander Chris Sale will get the start for Atlanta. The Diamondbacks are expected to start rookie Yilber Diaz, making his MLB debut. The Braves vs D’Backs MLB predictions have Atlanta -190 with a total of 8-under (-115). Atlanta is -120 on the runline (-1.5).

The Braves aren’t tearing it up offensively. Atlanta is No. 18 in MLB team batting average and is tied for No. 11 in home runs. The Braves are third in doubles and No.

12 in slugging percentage in the MLB stats. Atlanta is scoring 4.3 runs per game, which is a shade under the MLB average of 4.4 runs.

The Braves have done a solid job on the mound, ranking No. 2 in team ERA and the bullpen has converted 24 of 35 save attempts. Atlanta leads the league with 11 shutouts.

Arizona isn’t bad offensively, averaging 4.9 runs per game. The Diamondbacks are No. 7 in team batting average and No. 14 in home runs. Arizona is doing the little things offensively to score runs, which is all that matters.

On the mound, Arizona leaves a lot to be desired. The Diamondbacks are No. 29 in team ERA and the bullpen has converted just 19 out of 34 save opportunities. The starters also deserve some blame for such unsightly numbers. The pitching has to get better for Arizona to remain in the MLB playoff picture.

Game 1

Braves logo Braves vs D’Backs Diamondbacks logo

Records: Atlanta Braves (49-39), Arizona Diamondbacks (45-45)
Day/Time
:
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Streaming: MLB Network

Monday’s Game

Sale has been solid this season with an 11-3 record and a 2.71 ERA. Atlanta is 11-5 when he starts and 6-10 in totals. Most of Sale’s success has come at home, as Atlanta is just 3-4 when he starts on the road.

  • The Diamondbacks do hit left-handed starters a little better, scoring 5.3 runs per game. Arizona is just 13-17 in those games, however.

The Diamondbacks are having some issues with MLB injuries in their starting rotation, so Diaz has been called up. With Zac Gallen officially named the starter Tuesday, it looks like we’ll see Diaz in Monday’s game. His minor-league stats haven’t been great, but they’re not bad. He pitched slightly better in AAA than at AA, where he started the season.

The price on Sale and the Braves is too high to play in this one. With Arizona scoring more against southpaws and Diaz a candidate for a few first-game jitters, will take the over 8 for one of your MLB picks today.

Tuesday’s Game

Charlie Morton and Gallen are the confirmed starters for Tuesday’s game in an MLB matchup that will be pretty close to even. Morton is 5-5 with a 3.96 ERA, so he’s doing what you expect.

He keeps you in games, although Atlanta’s offense hasn’t taken advantage of it. Atlanta is 7-9 when he starts.

Gallen is having another good season for the Diamondbacks, going 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA. Arizona is 7-6 when he starts and 4-2 when he starts at home.

The Diamondbacks have allowed one run or less in four of Gallen’s home starts this season.

The Braves vs D’Backs predictions have Arizona in a good spot in this game, especially if Atlanta takes the opener. Provided the line isn’t any higher than Arizona’s -125, Gallen deserves a play.

Wednesday Game

Max Fried is the penciled-in starter for Atlanta, while Arizona hasn’t named its starter for this one. Slade Cecconi would be up in the rotation and there’s a good chance he’ll get the nod.

Cecconi hasn’t been all that impressive, but you can say the same for most Arizona pitchers. Cecconi is 2-6 with a 6.10 ERA and has only made it to the fifth inning once in his last seven starts. Arizona is 5-7 when he starts.

  • Fried is 7-4 with a 3.18 ERA, so he’s not having his best season. There’s nothing wrong with his numbers, however, and he did have a bit of a slow start to the year.

Atlanta is 12-5 when he starts this year and 7-3 when he starts on the road. Atlanta is also 6-4 against the runline with Fried on the road, but just 8-9 overall.

The Braves are the only way to look in this game. Fried is still one of the best starters in the game. If Cicconi does get the start for Arizona, you may want to look to the runline to lower the MLB odds.

Thursday’s Game

Spencer Schwellenbach will get the start for Atlanta and Brandon Pfaadt is scheduled in Arizona’s rotation. Pfaadt did leave Saturday’s game after being hit by a line drive in the ankle. His x-rays were negative and he said he doesn’t expect to miss any time provided the swelling goes down.

      • The Braves vs D’Backs MLB predictions show Schwellenbach struggling a little bit with a 2-4 record and 5.02 ERA. He did have a pair of rough outings when he was first called up but has pitched much better since then. The Braves are just 2-5 when he starts.

Pfaadt has been pretty consistent for Arizona, who is 9-9 when he starts. The Diamondbacks are 5-3 when he starts at home and 4-4 on the totals.

The Braves are 1-6 in totals when Schwellenbach takes the mound and will ride the under trend in this game.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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