Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Atlanta Braves Free Preview

Victor TrejosBaseball, MLB

The Atlanta Braves will head west to play the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Fox Sports Arizona will televise this NL matchup and the action gets underway at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Odds

Vegas is listing Atlanta (+165) as the underdog to Arizona (-175). Gamblers can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 8 runs and -115 for under 8. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at -135 for the Braves +1.5 runs and +115 for the Diamondbacks -1.5.

The Diamondbacks are 75-64 straight up (SU) and 71-68 against the spread (ATS). The team hasn’t moved the needle a lot for gamblers, losing 0.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline while earning 8.0 units (ATS). Arizona has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them. The Braves, on the other hand, have gone 76-63 SU this year and are 70-67 ATS. Overall, the team’s accumulated 15.9 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 0.8 units ATS. Atlanta’s covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.

Arizona games have a 60-73-6 over/under record in 2018. The Braves have an over/under record of 63-68-6.

Right-hander Anibal Sanchez will get the start for Atlanta. Sanchez (6-5, 2.98 ERA) has recorded 106 punchouts in 108.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with six strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Arizona this year.

The Diamondbacks are handing the ball to righty Zack Greinke (13-9, 2.97 ERA), who’s got 176 strikeouts and 35 walks, as well as a 1.05 WHIP. Greinke is 1-0 with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Atlanta this year.

Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.51 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.59 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.06, along with a K-per-9 of 9.05.

Braves hitters have slashed .259/.327/.423 on their way to 4.7 runs scored per game this season, including 4.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).

Right fielder Nick Markakis and first baseman Freddie Freeman continue to lead Atlanta’s hitters. Markakis is hitting .304/.369/.461 with 14 home runs, 85 RBIs and 73 runs scored, while Freeman (.307/.388/.507) has produced 21 homers, 83 RBIs and 85 runs scored.

In the other dugout, Arizona’s pitchers have yielded 3.8 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has posted a solid ERA of just 3.14, a WHIP of 1.21 and a K/9 of 8.2.

The Arizona offense has produced 4.4 runs per outing, including 2.5 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over its last five. The team has hit .188/.260/.318 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt and left fielder David Peralta have led the way for the Diamondbacks’ offense this year. Goldschmidt is hitting .295/.396/.545 with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs and 84 runs scored, while Peralta’s line sits at .293/.351/.521 with 26 homers, 74 RBIs and 66 runs.

The Braves have gained 19.4 units and are 54-44 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 43 of those games, compared to 50 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks have netted 1.6 units and are 47-42 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 39 of those games, compared to 47 that went under the total.

Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Tip

Predictions: SU Winner – Diamondbacks, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – UNDER

Betting Trends

  • Atlanta has recorded 14 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Arizona has 11 XBH over its last five.
  • Arizona has posted 15.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 14.4 over its last five.
  • The Braves have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.