Atlanta Braves (64-57) vs. Los Angeles Angels (52-69)
An exhilarating MLB weekend is set to unfold, as the Atlanta Braves prepare to face the Los Angeles Angels in a compelling matchup at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. The game is slated for first pitch at 9:38 PM ET, promising an action-packed evening for fans and bettors alike.
This clash marks the middle game of a three-game interleague series, with Friday’s opener not included in this analysis. Atlanta enters as a strong -255 moneyline favorite, with an over/under set at 8.0 runs.
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Atlanta Braves Seek to Secure Wild Card Spot
The Atlanta Braves, currently at 64-57, faced a setback with a 6-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. This defeat marked their eighth loss in the last twelve games, putting their playoff aspirations at risk. As of Friday morning, they still held the final National League wild card spot, two games ahead of the New York Mets and 3.5 games in front of the Giants.
Despite their struggles, the Braves have shown some offensive improvement, posting a .265 batting average with 21 home runs over 321 at-bats since an earlier defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers. However, their bullpen performance has been concerning, with a 3-3 record and an alarming 8.04 ERA during the same stretch.
Chris Sale will take the mound for the Braves on Saturday. The seasoned left-hander boasts an impressive 13-3 record, 2.61 ERA, and a striking 177/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 22 starts this season. Notably, Sale has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last eleven outings, showcasing his elite form.
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Los Angeles Angels Struggling to Find Their Rhythm
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Angels are looking to move past a disappointing season. As of Friday, they found themselves 13.5 games behind the division-leading Houston Astros and 14 games out of the American League wild card race. The Angels aimed to end a three-game losing streak after recently being swept by the Toronto Blue Jays.
In August, the Angels have struggled at the plate, recording a .234 batting average. Over the past week, their performance dipped further, hitting just .209 with six home runs and six doubles over 201 at-bats. Contrastingly, their bullpen has shown resilience, maintaining a solid 3.02 ERA and .197 batting average against this month.
Griffin Canning is projected to pitch for the Angels. The 28-year-old right-hander holds a 4-10 record this season, with a 5.11 ERA and a 93/47 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 24 starts. In his last outing, Canning pitched seven innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing four earned runs.
Strategic Bets for Braves vs. Angels
Given Chris Sale’s outstanding performance this season, the Braves appear to be a solid choice. Sale has a perfect record against the Angels, having not lost in his last eight matchups, with a remarkable 1.06 ERA. His history at Angel Stadium has also been impressive, with a 1.61 ERA over 28 innings pitched.
Conversely, Griffin Canning has struggled significantly, allowing four or more earned runs in seven of his last eleven starts. His second-half ERA of 6.15 and .812 opposing OPS signal ongoing challenges. The Braves have fared well against Canning in the past, hitting .290 against him with a total of five home runs.
