As the National League Wildcard Series kicks off, the Atlanta Braves (89-73, 75-87 RL, 60-96-6 O/U) face off against the San Diego Padres (93-69, 84-78 RL, 82-75-5 O/U) in Game 1 on Tuesday night. The Braves have yet to announce their starting pitcher, while the Padres will send Michael King to the mound. Notably, San Diego edged out Atlanta in their regular-season matchup, winning the series 4-3.
When it comes to MLB Picks, this matchup is anticipated!
Atlanta’s Journey to the Wildcard
As of early Tuesday, the Braves have not confirmed their Game 1 starter, a decision complicated by their recent doubleheader against the Mets on Monday and subsequent travel to San Diego. With Chris Sale sidelined due to back problems, candidates Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, and AJ Smith-Shawver are in contention. Elder has struggled throughout the season, showcasing a 6.52 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP with a 2-5 record over 49.2 innings. In contrast, AJ Smith-Shawver has seen limited action, with just 4.1 innings pitched this season.
Injury woes have haunted Atlanta this year, with key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. missing significant time. Despite this, the Braves managed to secure a postseason berth, clinching it in Game 2 of their doubleheader. They ended September on a high note, winning their last three series and finishing five games above the .500 mark on the road.
Matt Olson has stepped up as a crucial player in the lineup, particularly with Austin Riley out for this series. Olson has been impressive in September, boasting 21 RBIs and a 1.00 OPS. For the season, he has hit 29 home runs, driven in 98 runs, and maintained a .790 OPS. Against the Padres, Olson has recorded four RBIs with a .632 OPS this year.
On average, Atlanta scores 4.34 runs per game, placing them 15th in the league. Their pitching staff holds a strong 3.48 ERA, ranking them second overall.
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San Diego’s Strategy with Michael King
For Game 1, the Padres will feature Michael King on the mound. King recently excelled against the Dodgers, allowing just one run (none earned) over five innings, securing a victory. Since being acquired in the Juan Soto trade, King has emerged as a standout pitcher, recording a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP with a 13-9 record across 173.2 innings this season. Interestingly, he has yet to face Atlanta this year but has pitched 3.2 scoreless innings against them in his career.
San Diego is enjoying a historic season, achieving 93 wins. The team lost only two series in September, showcasing their strength. The offense has been particularly formidable, leading MLB in batting average and ranking sixth in OPS. The Padres triumphed in three of four games in Atlanta during their first series and lost two of three in the latter part of the season.
Manny Machado is currently a significant offensive threat, racking up 22 RBIs and a .836 OPS in September. The 32-year-old third baseman has hit 29 home runs and amassed 105 RBIs, maintaining a .797 OPS. Against the Braves, Machado has delivered five RBIs with a stellar 1.00 OPS this season.
San Diego’s offense averages 4.69 runs per game, ranking eighth in the league, while their pitching staff holds a 3.86 ERA, placing them 12th overall.
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Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres
The Atlanta Braves faced a tight race to secure their playoff spot, needing Game 162 to clinch it. They enter this contest with a scheduling disadvantage, having played a doubleheader against the Mets on Monday before traveling to San Diego.
As of now, the Braves have not confirmed their Game 1 pitcher due to Chris Sale’s injury. Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, or AJ Smith-Shawver could potentially take the mound, but this is concerning given Elder’s 6.52 ERA and Smith-Shawver’s mere 4.1 innings pitched this season. The Padres have shown strength against Atlanta this year, finishing with a 4-3 record in their matchups. Michael King, the Padres’ emerging ace, boasts an impressive 1.57 ERA for this month, including solid performances against both the Astros and Dodgers.
