Braves Bidding for NL East Top Spot
The Los Angeles Angels try to snap a three-game losing streak when they take on the host Atlanta Braves in the first of a three-game weekend series on Friday night. Los Angeles was swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a two-game set just before the All-Star break and is in fourth place in the American League West, three games behind the third-place Texas Rangers.
Atlanta also suffered a loss in its last game before the break to stay 2½ games behind the first-place New York Mets in the National League East standings. Both teams have star power and will be looking to start the second half with a victory, so make sure to read our in-depth preview before you make any bet online on this contest.
Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB predictions, for Angels vs Braves. We’ve plenty of world series predictions for you to consider.
Ohtani Will Need to Carry Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have two of the biggest stars in the game in defending AL MVP Shohei Ohtani and former AL MVP Mike Trout. Unfortunately, Trout is on the injured list currently with rib cage inflammation, leaving Ohtani to do the heavy lifting if the Angels are to get back into the playoff chase.
Ohtani will make his 16th start on the mound. Ohtani is 9-4 with a 2.38 ERA, ranking eighth in the majors with 123 strikeouts over 87 innings. He’s been dominant in his last six starts, going 6-0 by pitching a combined 39.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on 20 hits while striking out 58.
The 28-year-old is making noise at the plate as well, batting .258 with 15 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 51 runs scored.
Outfielder Taylor Ward leads the Angels with a .286 batting average, though he’s been slumping a bit lately, going 3-for-18 over his last five games. Ward has 11 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 34 RBIs and 43 runs scored.
Braves Chasing Mets
There was a time earlier in the season when it looked like the New York Mets would run away with the NL East crown, but the Atlanta Braves have made up a lot of ground and now are 2½ games out of first. They’ll need all hands on deck for the run, including the bat of outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.
4️⃣6️⃣4️⃣
The longest Braves home run of the first half of the season belongs to @ronaldacunajr24 💪@Delta | #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/XOBtDlaNBo
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 21, 2022
Acuna, who missed much of the second half of last season’s run to the World Series title, is healthy and wants to help in another title run. Acuna is batting .265 with 10 doubles, eight home runs, 22 RBIs and 38 runs scored in 59 games .
Third baseman Austin Riley has emerged as one of the team’s top hitters, leading the Braves with 27 home runs and 61 RBIs. Riley is batting .285 with 22 doubles, a triple and 55 run scored and is batting .400 in the month of July.
Veteran right-hander Charlie Morton will make his 19th start on Friday night. The 38-year-old is 5-4 with a 4.45 ERA, striking out 114 in 99 innings on the mound. Morton had a rough outing in his last start against the New York Mets on July 13, going five innings and allowing five runs on six hits, including three home runs, while striking out six and walking three.
Angels vs Braves Head-To-Head
This will be only the sixth all-time series between the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves, with the Angels currently holding an 8-7 advantage. These two teams last played in 2017, with Los Angeles winning two of three at home.
A look at the MLB lines shows Atlanta as getting the advantage in the opener of this weekend series.
Angels vs Braves Game Information
- Game: Angels (39-53) vs Braves (56-38)
- Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
- Day/Time: Friday July, 22, 7:20 p.m. ET
- Angeles vs Braves Live Stream: MLB.tv
Take a Look at Other 2 Analysis Picks & Predictions For This Week’s MLB Matchups
- Braves vs Phillies Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks, July 25
- Angels vs Braves Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Angels vs Braves Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Los Angeles Angels
S. Ohtani -R |
+1½ -165 | +134 | 7-125o | 3½+115o
3½-145u |
| Atlanta Braves
C. Morton -R |
-1½ +145 | -149 | 7+105u | 3½-130o
3½Evu |
Angels vs Braves Prediction
The Los Angeles Angels have the best player in this game in Ohtani, but he won’t be able to do it all against the Atlanta Braves, who have the better team. Look for a solid performance from Morton as the Braves take the series-opening victory.
When making your MLB picks, take Atlanta to win at home.
