Braves vs Red Sox Prediction 5/16/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Braves vs Red Sox prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 16th at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Atlanta Braves Betting Preview

The Atlanta Braves are 31-14 this year after they won game one by a score of 3-2 in extra innings on Friday. Atlanta blew a 2-0 lead in the later innings, but they scored the only run in the 10th for the win. The Braves recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Baldwin, who went 2-4 with one home run and one RBI. Strider allowed three hits and one earned run over 5.1 innings, while Fuentes picked up the win. Prior to this series, Atlanta won two out of three against the Cubs and two out of three against the Dodgers. 

This season, Atlanta has a 3.02 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a .205 opponent batting average, while they have scored 237 runs with a .270 batting average and a .332 on base percentage. Matt Olson has led the Braves with 14 home runs and 37 RBIs, while Drake Baldwin has added 11 home runs and 33 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Bryce Elder, who is 4-1 with a 1.81 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP over 54.2 innings pitched this year. 

Boston Red Sox Betting Preview

The Boston Red Sox are 18-26 this season after they lost game one by a score of 3-2 last night. Boston scored once in the sixth and once in the seventh to tie the game, but couldn’t find anymore scoring for the loss. The Red Sox recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Mayer, who went 1-3 with one home run and one RBI. Early allowed five hits and two earned runs over 5.0 innings, while Samaniego picked up the loss. Prior to this series, Boston lost two out of three against the Phillies and two out of three against the Rays. 

This season, Boston has a 3.74 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 163 runs with a .235 batting average and a .313 on base percentage. Willson Contreras has led the Red Sox with eight home runs and 23 RBIs, while Jarren Duran has added four home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Boston is Payton Tolle, who is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 22.2 innings pitched this season. 

Why the Atlanta Braves will win

• The Red Sox have lost eight of their last nine road games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
• The Braves have won five of their last six night games against American League opponents.
• The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games after playing the previous day after going to extra innings.
• The Braves have covered the run line in six of their last seven games after going to extra innings.
• The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven night games against the Red Sox.
• The Braves have won the first inning in each of their last four games as favorites against the Red Sox.
• The Red Sox have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last nine road games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Boston Red Sox will win

• The Braves have lost each of their last four games as favorites against AL East opponents following a win.
• The underdogs have won four of the Braves’ last six games.
• The Braves have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine home games against AL East opponents that held a losing record.
• The Red Sox have covered the run line in seven of their last eight road games against NL East opponents.

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Braves’ last seven home games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• Each of the Red Sox’s last six games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Red Sox’s last seven games as underdogs against NL East opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last six games between the Red Sox and Braves.

Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts

• Matt Olson has hit a home run in four of the Braves’ last five night games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Austin Riley has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 Saturday appearances against AL teams that held a losing record.
• Drake Baldwin ranks T4th in the league in Hits (54) this season.

Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts

• Ceddanne Rafaela has recorded at least one hit in each of the Red Sox’s last 10 road games against NL East opponents.
• Triston Casas has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Braves rank 1st in the league for runs scored this season (240).
• The Braves rank 1st in the league for hits this season (414).
• The Red Sox rank 29th in the league for home runs this season (32).
• The Red Sox rank 29th in the league for slugging percentage this season (.355).

Braves vs Red Sox Prediction 

Atlanta picked up another win on Friday night and they continue to run away with the NL East, as they are up nine games already. The Braves are 15-7 at home this year, while the Red Sox are 10-12 on the road. Boston has lost four of their last five games and they have scored two runs or fewer in four of their last five. The Red Sox are starting Tolle, who has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his five starts, while Elder has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three straight. Take the under here.