Braves vs. Red Sox Prediction
The Atlanta Braves are still holding a half-game lead in the NL East despite last night’s series-opening loss at the Boston Red Sox. Will Atlanta win this afternoon to keep its grasp on the top spot in the division?
Game Snapshot
925 Atlanta Braves at 926 Boston Red Sox
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Fenway Park at 1:05PM ET
TV: NESN (BOS)
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Red Sox are listed as a -122 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Braves are a +112 underdog, while the over-under sits at 10 runs. As of Saturday morning, 52 percent of public bets are being placed on visiting Atlanta. Check out our MLB Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Betts continues torrid pace
Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts socked his 17th home run of the season Friday night to help lead his squad to a 6-2 victory over the Braves to open the series. He also drew a walk. Betts is now batting .361 on the season with an on-base percentage of .438. He is slugging an absurd .761. Additionally, Betts has the ninth-lowest swing-and-miss-rate in baseball at 5.0 percent despite all the power. JD Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland also contributed heavily in the win with a home run each. Prior to the game, Boston announced that Hanley Ramirez was being designated for assignment which opened the door for more playing time for Moreland. Eduardo Rodriguez allowed two earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and three walks over 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win.
Markakis drives both runs in
Atlanta right fielder Nick Markakis accounted for both of his squad’s runs Friday night with a two-run double in the top of the third inning which gave the Braves a 2-0 lead at that point. Boston responded with two in the bottom of the fourth before taking the lead for good in the fifth inning. Markakis now has 12 doubles on the season and is batting a robust .344 in what has been a career year so far for the veteran. Julio Teheran gave up three earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks in six innings to take the loss.
Left-hander Sean Newcomb (5-1, 2.39 ERA) starts today for Atlanta, while Boston turns to Drew Pomeranz (1-2, 5.97).
MLB Betting Trends
Atlanta
The Braves are 12-4 in their last 16 road games. The over is 12-4-1 in the last 17 Atlanta games on a Saturday.
Boston
The Red Sox are 10-2 in their last 12 Saturday games. Boston is 24-8 in the last 32 meetings.
Prediction:
Atlanta has struggled offensively the last four games, but there is a real chance to bust out here against a struggling starter in Pomeranz. Newcomb has been pitching great all season and should do enough to keep the potent Red Sox offense off balance. With Newcomb pitching so much better than Pomeranz and the Braves a better team than they have shown lately, I’m going to bet on the upset happening today.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: ATLANTA BRAVES +112