The Braves have completed the first part of their season goals, clinching the NL East four days ago. Atlanta has loftier expectations upcoming, but that puts them in a weird situation in the September 25th MLB betting free pick at Kansas City. Atlanta cannot catch the Dodgers for home field in the National League playoffs and thus doesn’t have much to play for in the last 4 games of the season. Nobody wants to limp into the postseason though which makes the Braves at -148 a tough call.
Braves Have Dropped Last Two
Atlanta has lost two games in a row including Tuesday’s series opener in Kansas City 6-9 as -158 favorites. The Braves are also just 3-5 over their last 8 but they’re not just going to shut it down until the postseason. Many key Atlanta players were still in the lineup in game one vs. the Royals including Ozzie Albies, Josh Donaldson, and Nick Markakis.
The players who aren’t on the field for Atlanta in the September 25th MLB betting free pick is what makes Kansas City a tempting play at +120. Ronald Acuna, Jr. left Tuesday’s game in the 3rd inning after suffering hip tightness. It would be wise for Brian Snitker to bench his lead-off man to not risk further injury before the postseason. Freddie Freeman has also had the last 4 days off to rest an elbow injury and Ender Inciarte may not be back until the weekend with a hamstring injury. The Royals meanwhile wind down the season relatively healthy.
Atlanta sends Josh Tomlin to the mound Wednesday as he tries to solidify a spot on the Braves postseason roster as a long reliever. Tomlin hasn’t started all season, but is taking the spot of Mike Soroka who has been pushed back to Sunday as Atlanta preps for the playoffs. It’s looking like a bullpen day for the Braves in this one.
KC Wins Another One for Yost Here?
The Royals not only won 9-6 over postseason bound Atlanta on Tuesday, they did so shortly after manager Ned Yost announced his retirement effective at the end of the season. Yost will leave as the winningest skipper in club history (744 wins) and took the team to back-to-back World Series’ appearances, winning in 2015. Does KC continue to send Yost out on a high note with a win in the September 25th MLB betting free pick?
Tuesday’s Kansas City win was no emotional fluke, the Royals have actually been playing some good offensive baseball as of late. In the last three games Kansas City has plated 29 runs, two of those games coming on the road at Target Field. Interestingly enough, the Royals only have 3 HR over the past week meaning they’re doing a great job of manufacturing scores. Jorge Soler remains stuck on 45 HR for the season.
Mike Montgomery starts for the Royals on Wednesday. He’s been much better at home than on the road lately which bodes well for KC here. In his last 3 road starts, Montgomery has allowed 5 runs in each game, two of those which were against Baltimore and Miami. The left-hander has given up just 4 ER total in his last 4 home starts and opponents included Oakland and Houston.
September 25th MLB Betting Free Pick
The Royals have value in this one at +120. The Braves have some significant injuries, start a reliever in place of Soroka on Wednesday, and really have nothing to play for. The Royals should be able to get another one for the departing Yost, especially the way the Kansas City offense has been clicking as of late.
Pick: Kansas City Royals +120
