As the Atlanta Braves (61-56, 2nd NL East) and the San Francisco Giants (61-59, 4th NL West) continue their four-game series, the stakes are high for both teams. The series kicked off on Monday night, and the Braves are looking to rebound after a disappointing series in Colorado. Meanwhile, the Giants are riding a wave of momentum after taking two of three games against the Detroit Tigers. Currently, the Giants lead the season series 2-1 against the Braves. Atlanta will send Charlie Morton (4.47 ERA) to the mound, while San Francisco counters with Kyle Harrison (4.08 ERA). The first pitch is scheduled for 9:45 EST at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Nobody does it better when it comes to MLB Picks!
Braves Struggles in Recent Games
The Atlanta Braves enjoyed a solid position for most of the season, sitting in second place in the NL East. However, recent games have seen them falter, losing seven of their last eight contests. Their struggles include dropping two games against the Miami Marlins, getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, and losing two of three to the Colorado Rockies. The Braves are now precariously holding onto the final Wild Card spot, with the New York Mets just half a game behind them. In their latest game against the Rockies, Jorge Soler showcased his power by hitting two home runs, but the Braves still lost 9-8.
Soler, who recently joined the Braves from the Giants, has been a key addition to the lineup as the new leadoff hitter. He plays right field and has now accumulated 16 home runs and 50 RBIs this season. While Soler is making strides, he still trails Marcell Ozuna, who leads the Braves with 35 home runs—tied for second in the majors. Ozuna boasts a .301 batting average and an impressive 90 RBIs, the highest on the team. Matt Olson adds to the power hitting from first base with 20 home runs, while Austin Riley, batting second, has 18 home runs and 55 RBIs.
Charlie Morton is set to make his 22nd start this season. The 40-year-old right-hander has a 6-7 record, with the Braves going 2-3 in his last five outings. His ERA stands at 4.47, with 112 strikeouts against 43 walks and 18 home runs given up this year. In his most recent game, Morton struggled significantly, lasting only 2.2 innings while allowing eight earned runs against the Brewers.
Giants on a Winning Streak
In contrast to the Braves, the San Francisco Giants are riding a wave of success, having won four of their last five games leading into this series. Their recent victories include two wins against the Washington Nationals and two of three against the Tigers. While the level of competition hasn’t been the strongest, the Giants are eager to capitalize on the Braves’ recent struggles. They are currently just 1.5 games away from the final Wild Card spot, keeping their playoff hopes alive. In their last game against the Tigers, Matt Chapman delivered a standout performance with three RBIs, although the team fell short in a 5-4 loss.
Manager Bob Melvin expressed confidence in his team’s effort, stating, “We were down some runs, we came back and made it a game. Continued to push and that’s been the consistent theme with us.” Chapman leads the Giants with 19 home runs and 60 RBIs this season, batting in the fifth spot with a .249 average. Heliot Ramos, transitioning to the third spot in the lineup, has hit 17 home runs and gathered 57 RBIs. Rookie shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald, batting leadoff, has been impressive with a .315 batting average and contributed two hits in Sunday’s game.
Kyle Harrison will take the mound for his 21st start of the season. At 23 years old, the left-hander has a 6-5 record, with the Giants going 3-2 in his last five starts. Harrison’s ERA is 4.08, with 97 strikeouts and 34 walks, having surrendered 14 home runs this year. In his last outing, he pitched 4.2 innings against the Nationals, allowing two earned runs in a win.
Optimal Bets for Braves vs. Giants
With the Braves sending a veteran pitcher to the mound, the Giants are opting for a younger player in Kyle Harrison. Morton’s recent struggles, particularly his last performance where he allowed eight earned runs in just over two innings, raise concerns about his ability to bounce back against a Giants team that has found its rhythm. Harrison has shown consistency, allowing two or fewer earned runs in four of his last five games. Additionally, the Giants previously won two of three games against the Braves this season and will have the home-field advantage at Oracle Park, where Harrison’s ERA is even lower at 3.47. The Giants are likely to secure a win in this matchup.
