Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves Prediction 7/18/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Rangers vs Braves Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, July 18th in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Atlanta Braves Preview

The Atlanta Braves have a 56-40 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the NL East. They have a 28-18 home record and are coming off a 15-1 home win against the Rangers. They will face the Padres and the Orioles next.

The Atlanta Braves have a .249 batting average this season, .315 OBP and .414 Slugging percentage. Atlanta’s pitching staff has a 3.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Michael Harris II is the team’s best hitter with a .297 batting average. Matt Olson leads the team in RBI with 59, adding a team-high 26 home runs.

Owen Murphy (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, and he has a 0-1 record, 2.25 ERA and 0.25 WHIP.

Texas Rangers Preview

The Texas Rangers have a 49-48 record this season and are sitting in the 1st place of the AL West. They have a 25-26 away record and are coming off a 1-15 road loss against the Braves. They will face the White Sox and the Mariners next.

The Texas Rangers have a .244 batting average this season, .319 OBP and .398 Slugging percentage. Texas’s pitching staff has a 4.25 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Josh Jung is the team’s best hitter with a .294 batting average. Jake Burger leads the team in RBI with 58, adding a team-high 16 home runs.

MacKenzie Gore (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers, and he has a 5-8 record, 4.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

Texas Rangers @ Atlanta Braves Betting Trends: July 18, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Owen Murphy      Record this season: 0-1      ERA: 2.25
• Home Record: 0-1
• Last 5 against Rangers: –

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Rangers have lost eight of their last nine games against NL East opponents following a loss.
• The home team has won each of the last four games between the Rangers and Braves.
• The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six day games following a loss.
• The home team has covered the run line in each of the last four games between the Rangers and Braves.
• The Braves have won the first inning in three of their last four day games at Truist Park.
• The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six games at Truist Park.
• The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games as favorites.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: MacKenzie Gore      Record this season: 5-8      ERA: 4.63
• Road Record: 2-6
• Last 5 against Braves: 1-2

Why the Texas Rangers will win

• The Braves have lost each of their last six games as favorites against AL West opponents following a home win.
• The Rangers have won each of their last seven Saturday day games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six games against AL West opponents following a home win.
• The Rangers have covered the run line in each of their last seven Saturday day games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• The Rangers have led after 5 innings in each of their last four day games against the Braves.
• The Braves have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last five home day games.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Rangers’ last eight games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Seven of the Braves’ last eight games as favorites against the Rangers have gone OVER the total runs line.
• There has been no run scored during the first inning in each of the Rangers’ last six games against National League opponents.
• There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Braves’ last six Saturday day games against American League opponents.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Matt Olson has hit a home run in four of the Braves’ last five games against AL West opponents.
• Dominic Smith has recorded at least one hit in each of his 10 previous appearances against the Rangers.
• Matt Olson ranks 7th in the league in Home Runs (26) this season.

Texas Rangers Player Prop Facts

• Joc Pederson has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• MacKenzie Gore has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last six Saturday appearances.
• Jake Burger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Braves rank 3rd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.227).
• The Braves rank 3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (720).
• The Rangers rank 5th in the league for walks allowed this season (282).
• The Rangers rank T25th in the league for runs scored this season (400).

Rangers vs Braves Prediction

The Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 meetings against the Braves but are 1-3 in their last 4 visits in Atlanta.

In this Rangers vs Braves Prediction, the Braves are coming as -115 home favorites. The Braves exploded for 15 runs yesterday and I expect them to keep it rolling today against MacKenzie Gore, who has been struggling lately with a 7.94 ERA in his last three starts and has been bad on the road with a 2-6 record and 5.81 ERA. Owen Murphy has only pitched 4 innings in the majors but the Braves have the 6th-best offense and the second-best bullpen in baseball and I expect them to get the job done at home in this one.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Atlanta Braves ML