Atlanta Braves vs LA Angels Prediction MLB Picks 8/17/24

Braves Trying To Stay In NL East Chase

Entering Friday’s opener, Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with 136 hits including 35 home runs and 90 RBIs while Orlando Arcia has 19 doubles and Ozzie Albies has a team-high 28 doubles, logging 93 hits as well this season. Ronald Acuna Jr. has a team-high 16 stolen bases as well this season but is out for the season with a torn ACL. Matt Olson has 24 doubles, 21 home runs and 62 RBIs with a team-high 141 strikeouts and Austin Riley has 26 doubles with a pair of triples.

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Angels have lost each of their last five night games after playing the previous day.
• The Braves have won six of their last seven night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Angels have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine night games against NL East opponents following a home win.
• The Braves have covered the run line in six of their last seven games against the Angels following a loss.

Los Angeles Angels Recap

The Los Angeles Angels will try to keep the ball rolling after their win over Atlanta in Friday’s opener. The win was a nice change for the Angels who were coming in off of being swept by Toronto to start the week after being taken out by Washington in last weekend’s three-game set.

Angels Trying To Play Spoiler & Stay Out Of AL West Basement

Going into Friday’s matchup, Taylor Ward has 100 hits along with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs while Zach Neto has 26 doubles, 98 strikeouts and 22 stolen bases. Luis Rengifo also has 85 hits and 24 stolen bases while Jo Adell has 18 home runs, 54 RBIs and 14 stolen bases as well. Logan O’Hoppe has 94 hits and Neto has a team-high 107 hits as well with O’Hoppe adding 16 homers and 46 RBIs.

Why the Los Angeles Angels will win

• The underdogs have won eight of the Angels' last nine games.
• The Braves have lost eight of their last 10 games as favorites.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites.
• The Angels have covered the run line in eight of their last nine night games against teams that held a winning record.

Braves vs. Angels Prediction

I’m going to side with the Braves. Atlanta’s been slightly disappointing as of late, and Friday’s result didn’t help that feeling, but there’s little denying that this series means an absolute ton to the Braves if they’re going to keep themselves going in the NL Playoff race, whether it’s for the division or staying in the wild card race with how hot the teams around them have been. Los Angeles is just playing out the string at this point and a matchup with Chris Sale isn’t going to help matters. I’ll roll with Atlanta -1.5.