The defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves (12-16, 6-8 home) host the Milwaukee Brewers (19-8, 9-4 away) in game two of a three-game series on Saturday evening. Milwaukee knocked off the Braves in Friday’s opener, 6-3.
The first pitch of Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. EST at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. Milwaukee is favored (-115) on the road, and the over-under total is 6.5 runs.
What to Know – Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee sports the best record in the MLB and has won four games in a row. The Brewers sit atop the NL Central with a 2.5-game advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals.
The expected starter for the Brewers is staff ace Corbin Burnes (1-1, 1.93 ERA, 0.73 WHIP). The right-hander has been effective on the hill in five starts this year, yielding only seven earned runs over 32.2 innings of action. Burnes was dealt his first loss in his last trip, surrendering two earned runs on four hits over seven innings against the Chicago Cubs.
Milwaukee’s offense is in midseason form, with a pair of starters already racking up over 20 runs driven in. First baseman Rowdy Tellez is second in the majors with 24 RBI, and shortstop Willy Adames is right behind Tellez with 22. Milwaukee is tied with the Yankees for an MLB-best 35 home runs as a team.
The Brewers score 4.9 runs per game and are 15th in the majors with a .235 team batting average. Milwaukee’s pitching staff ranks third in the MLB with a 3.05 team earned run average.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
The Braves remain in a World Series hangover, fighting to get their record back over .500. Atlanta has lost three of its last four games and find itself seven games out of the top spot in the NL East.
Atlanta’s expected starter is left-hander Max Fried (3-2, 3.00 ERA, 0.87 WHIP). The Braves’ no. 1 starting pitcher has picked up three-straight wins over his last three starts. After giving up five earned in the season opener, Fried has limited opponents to five earned runs in 24.1 innings.
Third baseman Austin Riley paces the Braves’ offense with seven home runs and 14 RBI. Matt Olson, acquired by the Braves before the season to take over Freddie Freeman’s first base position, has transitioned nicely to the NL with a .275 batting average, three home runs, and 11 RBI.
The Braves are 24th in the league with a .223 batting average, scoring 3.9 runs per game. Atlanta’s pitching staff sports a 4.11 ERA that ranks 23rd in the majors.
The Pick is In
Saturday’s matchup features two of the top pitchers in the NL and should be a back-and-forth battle on the mound.
This one will come down to who’s bullpen holds their own, and we like the Braves pen to limit the Brewers’ offense. Backed by a strong outing by Fried, the Braves get back in the win column with a much-needed victory at home.
Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves ML
