Houston Astros vs Atlanta Braves MLB World Series Game 1 Picks, Odds, Predictions 10/26/21

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros meet Tuesday in Game 1 of the World Series in MLB action at Minute Maid Park. The Braves are coming off a six-game series against the Dodgers. The Astros are fresh off a six-game series against the Red Sox.

The Atlanta Braves have scored 15 runs in their last three games and four or more runs in five of their last seven games. The Braves have won four of their last five games when scoring four or more runs. Eddie Rosario leads the Braves with 18 hits and 11 RBI while Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley have combined for 21 hits and seven RBI. Charlie Morton gets the ball, and he was 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA and 216 strikeouts this season. Morton is 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA and 86 strikeouts in his postseason career.

The Houston Astros have scored 23 runs in their last three games and four or more runs in nine of their last 10 games. The Astros have won nine of their last 11 games when scoring four or more runs. Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with 15 hits and nine RBI while Michael Brantley and Yuli Gurriel have combined for 27 hits and 16 RBI. Framber Valdez gets the ball, and he was 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA and 125 strikeouts this season. Valdez is 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA and 39 strikeouts in his postseason career.

The Braves are 5-2 in their last 7 games as an underdog and 43-21 in their last 64 overall. The Astros are 59-20 in their last 79 games following an off day and 9-3 in their last 12 overall. The over is 4-1 in Braves last 5 overall. The over is 8-1 in Astros last 9 overall. The Braves are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.

This isn’t exactly the pitching matchup you’d expect in the opening game of a World Series, as neither pitcher is exactly lights out. Morton has been shaky at times through 14.1 postseason innings this season, allowing 10 hits and six runs with eight walks and 19 strikeouts. Valdez has allowed 16 hits and seven earned runs through 15 postseason innings, and has five walks and 13 strikeouts. Valdez is coming off his best outing, where he held the Red Sox to one run through eight innings on the road. The difference for me is the Astros are at home and that offense has been hot all postseason. I need more plus money to consider the Braves in this spot. I like the Astros to draw first blood.