The MLB schedule features a National League showdown on Friday between the Atlanta Braves (82-44) and the San Francisco Giants (66-61).
With both teams firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot, Friday night should be a great start to the three-game weekend series.
As you consider your MLB picks, read ahead to get a breakdown of this matchup and the Braves vs Giants best bets.
Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants Odds
Braves vs. Giants Information
Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants
Location of the game: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA.
Date & Time: Friday, August 25, 2023, 10:15 pm ET
How to watch: MLB.tv
Recent Scores
Looking at the Atlanta Braves last 10 MLB games, they have gone an impressive 7-3. Even more impressive this season is how they have been almost as dominant on the road (38-22) as they have at home (44-22).
In their last series, the Braves took two of three from the New York Mets. After dropping the first game, they won back-to-back games to end the series, outscoring the Mets in those two games 10-2.
In terms of their MLB standings, the Braves have the best record in all of baseball and currently have a 13.5-game lead in the NL East over the Philadelphia Phillies.
The San Francisco Giants schedule shows that they are just 4-6 in their last ten games. At Oracle Park this season, the Giants have a solid 35-28 record.
In the NL West, the Giants sit 12.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers for first place. In the Wild Card standings, though, they are just a half-game out of a playoff spot.
Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants Analysis
Before making your MLB picks, it is important to take a look at the pitching matchup. Friday features a battle of aces between these two teams.
In the Atlanta Braves game today, they will start 24-year-old phenom Spencer Strider. His MLB player stats show that he is 14-4 in 25 games with a 3.57 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, and he has 227 strikeouts in 146.1 innings.
In his last two starts, Strider has gone 2-0 and hasn’t allowed an earned run in his past 14 innings. In that span, he has allowed just four hits and struck out 16.
Facing Giants
The Giants will counter with their own ace in the form of righty Logan Webb. In 26 MLB games this season, he is 9-9 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, and he has 162 strikeouts in 169 innings.
Webb has three straight no-decisions, but he has allowed just six earned runs in a combined 20.1 innings of work.
Atlanta currently ranks first in MLB teams stats in scoring, averaging 5.79 runs per game. Matt Olson (43 HR, 108 RBI, 98 R), Austin Riley (29 HR, 77 RBI, 91 R), and Ronald Acuna Jr (28 HR, 74 RBI, 113 R, 58 SB) have all had sensational seasons.
San Francisco comes into this one ranked 22nd in the majors in scoring, averaging 4.33 runs per game. They have struggled at home, though, averaging just 3.84 runs this season.
Key Injuries
Analyzing the MLB injury report, Atlanta is without slugger Ozzie Albies (hamstring) as well as pitchers Kyle Wright (shoulder) and Ian Anderson (elbow). The Giants are missing shortstop Brandon Crawford (forearm) as well as outfielders A.J. Pollock (oblique), Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) and Mitch Haniger (forearm).
Odds Breakdown
Before determining the Braves vs Giants best bets, it is important to look at the MLB odds for this game.
Braves Come In As Road Favorites
The Braves are the favorites despite playing on the road Friday night. They are -149 to win, and their spread sits at -1.5, with odds of +115.
Giants Have To Battle As Home Underdogs
The Giants are trying to pull off the upset as home underdogs. They are +134 to win on the moneyline. The spread has them at +1.5, with odds of -135.
The over/under for total runs is 7.5. The over has odds of -115, while the under 7.5 runs has odds of -105.
Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants Betting Pick and Prediction
- For our Braves vs Giants best bets, we will be taking the Braves to win and cover (+115) on the road Friday.
While both of these teams are sending out their aces, only one has an elite offense that can overcome the great pitching. Atlanta has mashed the ball at every turn this year, regardless of whether they have been home or away.
In terms of the total, take the under 7.5 runs (-115) in this one. With two aces on the hill, as well as two of the best scoring defenses in baseball squaring off, runs could be at a bit of a premium.
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