The Cleveland Guardians and the Atlanta Braves meet Saturday in MLB action from Truist Park. Here’s an Atlanta Braves vs Cleveland Guardians prediction. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for the game.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
Earlier this week, Cleveland took on the Boston Red Sox. The Guardians lost 8-0 on Wednesday but won the other two games 4-1 and 6-4 for a series victory. On Friday in the opener versus the Braves, the Guardians had five hits in a 6-2 loss. Starting pitcher Logan Allen gave up four earned in 4.2 innings on five hits and two walks.
In the starting pitcher role for the Saturday matchup, Cleveland will send out Tanner Bibee. This year over his five starts Bibee is 2-0 with a 4.44 ERA and 26 Ks in 24.1 innings. Bibee is 12-4 with a 3.19 ERA in 30 starts.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
Over on the Braves’ side, they played the Marlins in their early-week set. Atlanta bagged a sweep in those three outings, winning 3-0, 5-0 and 4-3. On Friday in the opening matchup versus the Guardians, the Braves scored three runs in the fourth inning. Chris Sale had 7.0 innings as starter with one earned on two hits and a walk.
It’ll be Charlie Morton in the starting pitcher role for the Braves on Saturday. So far this season Morton is 2-0 with a 4.70 ERA in four starts. He’s got 22 Ks in 23.0 innings. Morton is 132-113 in his career with a 4.01 ERA in 357 games (356 starts).
Guardians vs Braves Injury Notes
Guardians SP Gavin Williams was shut down for seven days back on Wednesday due to discomfort in his right elbow. Williams threw a simulated game on Saturday.
As of Wednesday, Braves catcher Sean Murphy (oblique) was able to catch bullpen sessions but he had yet to resume swinging a bat.
Atlanta Braves Team Facts
- The Braves have won each of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Braves have covered the run line each of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
Cleveland Guardians Team Facts
- The Guardians have lost each of their last nine road games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Guardians have won the first inning in each of their last three games as underdogs against National League opponents.
- The Guardians have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games as underdogs against National League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last seven games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
Atlanta Braves vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction
I’ll lean toward the Braves. Morton had a bit of a rough patch earlier this month, posting a combined 10 earned runs in 11.1 innings over two starts. Morton bounced back in his last start versus the Rangers on April 20 however, bagging two earned in 6.0 innings for a win. As for Bibee, he’s doing pretty well over his last pair with three earned on 10 hits and four walks in 10.2 combined innings.
On Friday the Braves got a great effort on offense overall. Travis d’Arnaud was the only batter to not get on base (0-for-3). Atlanta should be able to keep things going and I like another win on Saturday.