LA Angels (52-69) vs Atlanta Braves (64-57)
Game Info: Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 4:07 pm (Angel Stadium of Anaheim)
Jack Kochanowicz (1-2) (7.98) vs Charlie Morton (6-7) (4.48)
Betting Odds: LA Angels +135 / Atlanta Braves -160 --- Over/Under: 9 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels square off Sunday in MLB action from Angel Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs LA Angels Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Atlanta Braves will send out Charlie Morton for the start here and is 6-7 with a 4.40 ERA and 120 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Angels, Morton is 1-2 with a 3.96 ERA and 30 strikeouts. Jack Kochanowicz will start this one for the Halos and is 1-2 with a 7.98 ERA and 7 strikeouts this season. This will be Kochanowicz’s first career start against the Braves.
Atlanta Braves Recap
The Atlanta Braves will look to win the rubber match of the series after evening the series up at one win apiece thanks to an 11-3 win over the Angels on Saturday. The win gives the Braves a chance at the series win to make it back-to-back series victories after their win over the Giants to start the week.
Braves Trying To Close Gap In NL East
Marcell Ozuna leads the Braves with 142 hits including 36 home runs and 93 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 142 strikeouts and Austin Riley has 26 doubles with a pair of triples.
Why the Atlanta Braves will win
- The Braves have won each of their last five games against AL West opponents following a road win.
- The Angels have lost each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
- The Angels have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four games after playing the previous day.
- The road team has covered the run line in five of the Angels' last six games.
Los Angeles Angels Recap
The Los Angeles Angels will try to bounce back and win the set after falling flat in Saturday’s clash. The loss put the Angels at risk of being unable to rebound from being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays to start the week.
Angels Trying To Play Spoiler Amidst Lost Season
Taylor Ward has 104 hits along with 22 doubles, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs while Zach Neto has 27 doubles, 102 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 95 hits and Neto has a team-high 108 hits as well with O’Hoppe adding 17 homers and 48 RBIs.
Why the Los Angeles Angels will win
- The underdogs have won eight of the Angels' last 10 games.
- The Braves have lost each of their last three games as favorites against AL West opponents following a win.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line each of their last seven day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Angels have covered the run line in each of their last six day games against NL East opponents.
Atlanta Braves vs LA Angels Prediction
I’m on the Braves here. I don’t love backing Charlie Morton on the road but it beats the alternative which is trusting the Angels offensively right now. The Braves still have a solid lineup that has just been inconsistent in terms of bringing their production on a game-by-game basis, but I think they’re still the better team with a huge edge in pitching across the board. Give me Atlanta to win the series.
Chris’s Pick Atlanta -160
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
