Atlanta Rolled in Opener
The Atlanta Braves look for a second straight win when they play host to the Los Angeles Angels in the second of a three-game interleague series on Saturday night. Atlanta won the opener to begin the second half of the season, pulling to within 1 1/2 games of the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. Los Angeles lost for the fourth straight time and is in fourth place in the AL West standings. Both teams have a lot of offensive firepowers, so before you make a bet online on this contest, make sure to read our in-depth preview of the game.
Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and Mlb predictions, for the Angels vs Braves. We’ve plenty of world series predictions for you to consider.
Angels Having Trouble Scoring
The Los Angeles Angels have scored a total of five runs during this slide. Los Angeles is missing All-Star outfielder Mike Trout, who is out with a rib injury, but the team has to have more production at the plate if it is hoping to pick up some wins.
Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts on Friday night, getting hit by a pitch to reach base. The reigning AL MVP is batting .256 with 15 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 51 runs scored, and he’ll be able to focus on his play at the plate after starting Friday’s opener on the mound as well.
Second baseman Jonathan Villar provided all of the team’s offensive output on Friday, hitting a solo home run. Villar is batting .212 with six doubles, two triples, three home runs, 18 RBIs, and 25 runs scored in 58 games this season.
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will take over the pitching duties. Sandoval is 3-5 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 starts, striking out 87 in 81 innings. Sandoval lost his third straight start on July 15 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 4⅔ innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out three and walking three.
Solid Pitching Leads the Braves
While much of the story of Friday’s series-opening win for the Atlanta Braves was the offense scoring seven runs in the seventh inning of a scoreless game, the other storyline was starter Charlie Morton matching Shohei Ohtani with six scoreless innings before the Atlanta offense finally broke through. Morton didn’t get the win, but he allowed just two hits over his six innings, striking out seven and improving his ERA to 2.66 over his last eight starts.
“He’s been on a good little run,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Morton after Friday’s win. “I don’t think he’s ever thrown the ball badly. It’s always been about rhythm, location, and things like that. He’s getting himself going pretty well right now.”
Right-hander Kyle Wright will try to keep that roll going for the Braves. Wright is 11-4 with a 2.95 ERA, striking out 107 in 110 innings. Wright has won his last two starts, including a seven-inning stint against the Washington Nationals on July 14 that saw him allow two runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking one.
First baseman Matt Olson had a home run and two RBIs. Olson is batting .255 with 34 doubles, 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and 45 runs scored in his first season with the Braves.
Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna also had his 18th home run. Ozuna is batting .222 with 12 doubles, 38 RBIs, and 42 runs scored.
Angels vs Braves Head-To-Head
The Atlanta Braves improved their all-time home record against the Los Angeles Angels to 4-3 with Friday night’s win. Atlanta is looking to take the season series after losing it the last time these two teams squared off in 2017.
The host team has won the last three series between these two teams after the first two series played between them had the road team winning the series. A look at the MLB lines for Saturday’s contest has the Braves as a heavy favorite to keep the current trend going with another win at home.
Angels vs Braves Game Information
- Game: Los Angeles Angels (39-54) at Atlanta Braves (57-38)
- Location: Truist Park
- Day/Time: Saturday, 7:20 p.m. ET
- 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 Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks, July 22
Angels vs Braves Betting Lines
| Team | Handicap | Moneyline | Total | Team Total |
| Angels |
+1½ -110
|
+170
|
8½ -105o
|
3½ Evo 3½ -130u |
| Braves |
-1½ -110
|
-200
|
8½ -115u
|
4½ -130o 4½ Evu |
Angels vs Braves Prediction
The Los Angeles Angels are in an offensive funk, and that’s not a good thing against a hot pitcher like Wright. The Atlanta Braves are starting to look like the team that made a championship run a season ago, and that should continue on Saturday with a victory.
When doing your MLB betting, take Atlanta to earn the win at home.
