The Atlanta Braves open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, April 18, at Truist Park. First pitch is at 7:15 PM ET. Both clubs enter the series looking to get back on track after slow starts to the 2025 season.
Atlanta is 5-13, while Minnesota is 7-12. These are two of the worst records in their respective leagues. The Braves have swept the Twins in each of the last two seasons, but Minnesota won their last meeting 4-0 in a spring training game on March 15.
Braves Preview – Searching for Consistency at Home
The Braves return home after losing back-to-back series to the Rays and Blue Jays. They’ve been better at Truist Park, where they are 3-2. Atlanta’s main problem has been offense, as they are averaging just 3.39 runs per game and hitting .247 as a team.
Matt Olson is hitting .203 with two home runs and has struggled in the middle of the lineup. Marcell Ozuna is batting .306 and has drawn 16 walks, providing a steady presence. Austin Riley leads the team with five homers and 12 RBIs, but the team is still missing Ronald Acuña Jr., who remains on the injured list.
Bryce Elder makes his third start of the season with a 7.20 ERA. He gave up nine hits and five runs in his last outing. Atlanta’s bullpen has been average, with Dylan Lee, Pierce Johnson, and Daysbel Hernandez among the most used arms. The Braves recalled Alex Verdugo from Triple-A to help the outfield with Bryan De La Cruz being sent down.
Twins Preview – Paddack Tries to Build on Last Start
The Twins have won two straight but lost seven of their previous 11. They’ve struggled on the road with a 3-7 record and are averaging just 3.47 runs per game. Injuries have hurt their depth, with Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis on the injured list, and Willi Castro and Carlos Correa battling day-to-day issues.
Chris Paddack is 0-2 with a 9.49 ERA but had his best outing of the season in a loss to Detroit. He allowed just two runs (one earned) over five innings and struck out five. He’s faced the Braves twice before, pitching 11 innings with only two runs allowed across both games.
Offensively, Trevor Larnach and Ryan Jeffers have been producing, while Byron Buxton continues to provide speed and defense in center. Ty France, acquired in the offseason, has been steady at first base. Minnesota’s bullpen has been solid at times, led by Jhoan Duran (1.13 ERA) and Danny Coulombe (0.00 ERA in 6.2 IP), but Jorge Alcala has struggled badly, giving up nine runs in six innings.
Betting Prediction
Atlanta enters as the favorite at -136, while the Twins are priced at +125. The total is set at 8.5 runs. Both starting pitchers have ERA’s over 7.00 and have allowed a lot of baserunners early in the season. The Braves have not won back-to-back games all year, and Minnesota enters with a bit more momentum.
The Twins bullpen has been stronger overall, and Paddack looked improved in his last start. Atlanta has a better lineup on paper, but they’ve been cold at the plate. Minnesota has a chance to steal Game 1 on the road behind a better bullpen and a cleaner recent trend.
Pick: Minnesota Twins +125
