Atlanta Braves (79-70) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (48-103)
September 23, 2021 3:40 pm EDT
The Line: Arizona Diamondbacks +140 / Atlanta Braves -185; Over/Under: +9
(Get latest betting odds)
The Atlanta Braves and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet Thursday in MLB action from Chase Field. This will be the final installment in a four-game series this week. The Braves took wins in the first two games, then on Wednesday Atlanta kept it going with a seven-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Atlanta posted a big 11-4 win in the Monday opener of this series, then kept it going with a 6-1 win on Tuesday. In the Wednesday game the Braves scored three runs in the first inning on the way to a 9-2 win. Ian Anderson put up 7.0 frames with one earned on two hits and a walk.
Starting pitcher for the Braves on Thursday will be Charlie Morton. Over his 170.0 innings this year Morton has 127 hits, 74 runs (66 earned), 16 homers allowed, 54 walks, 195 Ks and a 3.49 ERA.
Over on the Diamondbacks’ side, they had seven team hits in the Tuesday game, but also had just one run and three errors in a bad showing. On Wednesday, Arizona had six hits in the defeat. Merrill Kelly lasted 6.0 frames on six earned, seven hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Thursday finale, the Diamondbacks are going with Madison Bumgarner. Over his 136.1 innings this year Bumgarner has 121 hits, 75 runs (69 earned), 22 homers, 37 walks, 115 Ks and a 4.56 ERA.
The Braves are 6-1 in their last seven Thursday games and 18-7 in their last 25 on the road. Atlanta is 12-3 in their last 15 road games versus a lefty starter as well.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are 33-90 in their last 123 overall and 19-61 in their last 80 versus a team with a winning record. The over is also 3-0-2 in Arizona’s last five Thursday games as well.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Atlanta. Bumgarner had a nice outing his last time up with two earned on one hit and one walk in 7.0 innings versus the Astros. Prior to that however, Bumgarner had 19 earned runs over 23.0 innings in a four-game stretch. As for Morton, he’s been pretty consistent lately with three or few earned in each of his last four. I like Morton to keep it going in a Braves win here.
