On the road for the first leg of a two-game interleague bill, the Boston Red Sox will look to flip their recent fortunes.
It will be easier said than done, however. Their opponents, the Atlanta Braves, have recently shown their ability to stand up to those contending to knock them off of their throne.
Both teams enjoyed a day of rest Monday.
Get up to speed on the most recent results and the MLB picks today for this tilt between Boston and Atlanta.
Red Sox at Braves Stats
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox enter this matchup having underperformed to this point in the schedule. They’re 10-19, with a 6-10 mark in away fixtures.
Boston has won only two of its last 10 outings and is in the bottom third of the league’s batting rankings, posting a .228 average as a team.
MLB betting trends don’t suggest it will get better for them in this one.
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have compiled a 14-16 record, most recently winning three of their last four. They took two in a row from the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
They’ve gone an even 5-5 their last 10 times out and, at home, they’re 8-8. Atlanta has hit for a .226 average.
Matchup Information
Red Sox at Braves Betting Trends
- Atlanta is undefeated in pitcher Kyle Wright’s last six starts against a team with a losing record
- The under has hit in each of Wright’s previous five starts
- The Braves are 5-1 in their last six outings as a home favorite of -110 to -150
- The under is 4-0-1 in Boston’s last five clashes as an underdog
- The Red Sox are 14-15 on the run line
Red Sox at Braves Predictions
With the Braves picking up a little bit of steam and playing a second straight series in front of a friendly crowd, it’s not too much of a stretch to see Atlanta keep it going.
Although neither team has particularly lit the world on fire in the batter’s box, the Braves made their knocks worthwhile Sunday. Atlanta collected nine hits on the way to a 9-2 victory over Milwaukee.
Sitting a tick below .300, catcher Travis d’Arnaud paces all Braves batters who have at least 75 plate appearances on the season. First baseman Matt Olson has a team-high 29 hits and a .379 on-base percentage
On the bump for the defending champions will be fifth-year right Kyle Wright, who’s pitched about as well as anybody so far. His 1.74 ERA is tied for the seventh-lowest in the league and his 0.97 WHIP is one that a lot of hurlers would love to have themselves.
Wright has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his five stints on the mound this go-round.
Tasked with trying to figure him out, the visiting crew would probably prefer to swing the bats better in this one, especially when trying to convert on chances to dent the scoreboard.
Second baseman Trevor Story and designated hitter J.D. Martinez both drove five runs in over the past, but the rest of the Red Sox offense combined for only seven more.
It’s possible that starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock will be able to allow Boston a chance to get on the board first. He’ll provide what might be needed for a competitive pitchers’ duel if he deals well.
Whitlock didn’t allow an earned run through his first four outings. He has a 1.25 ERA as a result.
Conclusion
With both of those on the rubber performing impressively, it’s likely this one comes down to whoever provides more run support.
The pick here will be Atlanta -132. Boston has had too much of a struggle lately to expect them to rattle Wright, who’s stifled whatever opponents have tried him.
It was only a matter of time before the Braves found their footing. It will take a string of solid showings for them to begin to climb in their grouping and it feels like that run could be starting now.
Let’s go with the home team here and make use of the MLB odds for Atlanta to win outright.
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