The Colorado Rockies (29-41) and Atlanta Braves (42-26) will meet for the 1st time this season Thursday. First pitch from at Truist Park in Atlanta is 7:20 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockies vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Braves won 6 of 7 games in 2022
The Rockies took 2 of 3 from the Boston Red Sox in their most recent series and have won 3 of their last 4 games. They’re still 13 games back in the NL West, sitting 12 games below .500 as we approach the midway point of the season.
The Braves are riding a 2-game winning streak coming into this game, holding onto a 4.5-game lead over the Miami Marlins in the NL East. They’ve scored the 4th-most runs (355) and have the 8th-best team ERA (3.84) in MLB.
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Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves projected starters
LHP Kyle Freeland vs. RHP A.J. Smith-Shawver
Freeland (4-7, 3.91 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 5.8 K/9 in 76 innings.
- Has allowed just 3 ER in 12 IP in June
- Leads MLB with 14 starts; also has most losses (7) of any pitcher
Smith-Shawver (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 0.78 WHIP, 3.5 BB/9 and 5.9 K/9 in 7 2/3 innings.
- 20-year-old making just his 3rd career appearance and 2nd MLB start
- First start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 3 H 2 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 3 K in 3-2 win over Washington Nationals on Friday
Rockies 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 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockies +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Braves -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Rockies +1.5 (+105) | Braves -1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Rockies at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 6, Rockies 4
Moneyline
The Rockies have played some decent baseball as of late, but they now get a tough opponent in the Braves, winners of 9 of their last 11 games. The Braves should win this game at home, where they’re 20-15, extending their winning streak to 3 games.
The problem is they’re -250 on the money line, which is heavily juiced. I would PASS on the ML at that number.
Run line/Against the spread
The Braves have covered the run line in 7 of their last 9 wins, beating their opponents by at least 2 runs in each of those contests. As for the Rockies, their last 3 wins have all been by 1 run each, so even when they’ve won, they haven’t done so convincingly.
I like the BRAVES -1.5 (-125) to win and cover the spread by beating the Rockies by at least 2 runs.
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Over/Under
According to Covers, the total has gone Over in each of the Braves’ last 5 home games against lefties. The total has gone Over in 7 of their last 10 overall, including the last 3 games.
BET OVER 9 (-120).
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