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The Cleveland Guardians (19-8) and Atlanta Braves (18-7) wrap up a 3-game interleague series Sunday at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Guardians vs. Braves odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Atlanta won Friday’s opener 6-2 as a heavy favorite (-267) as the Under (8.5) cashed, while Cleveland returned the favor Saturday for a 4-2 win in 11 innings as a moderate underdog (+146) with the Under (9) hitting.
The Guardians have alternated wins and losses in the past 5 games, going 3-2, while cashing the Under at a 3-1-1 clip. Cleveland is 7-2 in the past 9 games and is 11-4 on the road this season.
The Braves had a 4-game win streak halted with Saturday’s loss, but Atlanta was able to extend its Under streak to 5 straight outings. The Under is 9-2 in the past 11 outings, too.
Guardians at Braves projected starters
RHP Ben Lively vs. RHP Bryce Elder
Lively (0-1, 2.38 ERA) makes his 3rd start. He has a 0.79 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 11 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 HR, 0 BB, 7 K in 4-1 home victory vs. Boston Red Sox Tuesday
- 2024 road splits: Loss, 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 K in 2-0 loss vs. Boston Red Sox April 17
Elder (1-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 2nd start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 0.0 BB/9 and 5.4 K/9 in 6 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 3-0 home victory vs. Miami Marlins Monday
- 2023 home splits: 7-1, 3.61 ERA (94 2/3 IP, 38 ER), 82 H, 12 HR, 34 BB, 73 K, .235 opponents’ batting average (OBA) in 17 starts
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Guardians 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 3:36 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Braves -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-135) | Braves -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Guardians at Braves picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 4, Guardians 2
Moneyline
The Braves (-175) will cost 1.75 times the potential return. That’s too expensive for a matchup between 2 top teams.
PASS and look to the run line instead.
Run line/Against the spread
The BRAVES -1.5 (+110) are worth a look in the series finale. Atlanta covered the run line in Friday’s series opener, winning 6-2. In 5 of the past 6 victories by the Braves, and 9 of the past 11 wins, Atlanta has ended up winning by 2 or more runs. So, if you like the Braves, you should like them to cover the run line, too.
Over/Under
UNDER 9 (+100) is a strong play at even-money in this interleague series finale.
The Under cashed in the first 2 games, with Atlanta averaging 4.0 runs per game (RPG), while Cleveland has mustered 3.0 RPG. Lively and Elder do not have a large sample size, but in their previous appearances, each pitcher has kept scores down. Look for another low-scoring game in this matinee action.
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