The Los Angeles Angels (56-52) meet the Atlanta Braves (68-37) Wednesday for the rubber match of a 3-game series. First pitch from Truist Park is set for 12:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Angels vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: tied 1-1
Los Angeles fell 5-1 to Atlanta Tuesday, but the Angels have climbed back into the playoff hunt with 10 wins in their last 14 games. L.A. is 5-3 on a 9-game road trip that concludes Wednesday.
The Braves are 4-1 on their current homestand and 36-20 on the year in their home park, which is the 2nd best mark in the league. Atlanta has an 11-game buffer over the Philadelphia Phillies atop the NL East.
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Angels at Braves projected starters
RHP Lucas Giolito vs. RHP Yonny Chirinos
Giolito (6-7, 3.85 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.23 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 through 126 1/3 IP for the Chicago White Sox and Angels.
- Last start: Loss, 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 4-1 loss at Toronto Blue Jays Friday in his Angels debut
- 2023 road stats: 3-5, 5.23 ERA (63 2/3 IP, 37 ER) in 12 starts
- Career vs. Braves: 0-1, 5.79 ERA (9 1/3 IP, 6 ER) in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
Chirinos (4-4, 4.34 ERA) makes his 6th start and 17th appearance. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 4.6 K/9 through 66 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 10-7 win vs. Milwaukee Brewers Friday in his Braves debut
- Has surrendered 6 ER in 8 2/3 IP with 13 H allowed and a 6/4 K/BB in 2 career games at Truist Park
- Never faced Angels before
- Sports the lowest K/9 in the entire league for pitchers with at least 50 IP
Angels at Braves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Angels +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Braves -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Angels +1.5 (-155) | Braves -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Angels at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 6, Braves 5
Moneyline
Chirinos still has a respectable ERA but he doesn’t miss bats and his Statcast xERA is 6.08. He has really struggled lately after a hot start, logging a 7.33 ERA with 7 HR allowed in his last 23 1/3 IP.
Giolito hasn’t returned to peak form and has issued 12 BB in 21 IP across his last 4 starts. But he has rebounded from last year’s disaster and gives his team the clear pitching edge in this matchup. Back the ANGELS (+125).
Run line/Against the spread
The Angels should put up their fair share of runs and are likely to keep this game close, even if they fall short. However, Giolito has had some issues on the road and is facing an Atlanta offense that leads the league in wRC+ vs. right-handed pitching. It’s probably best to just AVOID the run line.
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Over/Under
The Braves are 2nd in the league in runs per game at home (5.91) and can go off against any opposing pitcher. Meanwhile, the Angels are 6th in runs per game on the road (5.13), made some additions at the deadline and are facing a pitcher who has displayed some weak skills. This total should push OVER 10.5 (-105).
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