In this article we will formulate a LA Angels vs Atlanta Braves prediction for this MLB game on Friday, August 16th at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for game one in the series.
Los Angeles Angles Betting Preview
The Los Angeles Angels are 52-69 this year and they have lost five of their last six games. Los Angeles is coming off of a series loss against Toronto, where they lost all three games by scores of 4-2, 6-1, and 9-2. Prior to that series, the Angels lost two out of three against the Nationals, won two out of three against the Yankees, and won two out of three against the Mets. Los Angeles is 5-6 in their last 11 games and they are fourth in the AL West.
The Los Angeles pitching staff has a 4.54 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and a .240 opponent batting average. The Angels offense has scored 486 runs with a .235 batting average and a .306 on base percentage. Zach Neto is batting .266 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI’s for the Angels this season.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
The Atlanta Braves are 64-57 this season and they have won four of their last six games. Atlanta is coming off of a series win against San Francisco, where they won three out of four games. Prior to that series, the Braves lost two out of three against the Rockies, lost all three against the Brewers, and split four games with the Marlins. Atlanta is 4-8 in their last 12 games and they are second in the NL East.
The Atlanta pitching staff has a 3.74 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and a .242 opponent batting average. The Braves offense has scored 521 runs with a .240 batting average and a .305 on base percentage. Marcell Ozuna is batting .298 with 35 home runs and 90 RBI’s for the Braves this season.
Starting Pitchers
The projected starting pitcher for Los Angeles is Jose Soriano, who is 6-7 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 109.2 innings pitched this year. Soriano has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts. The projected starting pitcher for Atlanta is Spencer Schwellenbach, who is 4-5 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP over 70.2 innings pitched this season. Schwellenbach has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last five outings.
Why the Angels will beat the Braves
- The underdogs have won seven of the Angels’ last eight games.
- The Braves have lost nine of their last 11 games as favorites following a loss.
- The Braves have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as favorites.
- The Angels have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Angels have led after 5 innings in each of their last five games against National League opponents.
Why the Braves will beat the Angels
- The Braves have won each of their last six night games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Angels have lost five of their last six games.
- The Braves have covered the run line in each of their last six games against the Angels following a loss.
- The Angels have failed to cover the run line in five of their last six games.
- The Braves have won the first inning in each of their last six Friday games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Braves have led after 5 innings in each of their last six Friday games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Braves have led after 3 innings in each of their last 10 night games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
Total Runs Facts
- Each of the Angels’ last six games as home underdogs have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Seven of the Braves’ last eight road games against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Braves’ last four games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last three night games between the Braves and Angels.
Los Angeles Angels Player Prop Facts
- Zach Neto has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Angels’ last five games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Nolan Schanuel has scored at least one run in each of his last six appearances after not playing the previous day.
- Taylor Ward has recorded at least one Single in each of the Angels’ last 11 games against NL East opponents.
- Taylor Ward has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances with the Angels as underdogs against NL East opponents.
- Taylor Ward has recorded at least one total base in each of his last 13 appearances with the Angels as underdogs against NL East opponents.
- Mike Trout has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances against the Braves.
Atlanta Braves Player Prop Facts
- Matt Olson has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Braves’ last four games against AL West opponents.
- Austin Riley has recorded a Double in five of the Braves’ last six games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- Jorge Soler has recorded at least one Single in each of his last nine Friday appearances.
- Ronald Acuna Jr. has scored at least one run in each of his last nine Friday appearances against teams that held a losing record.
- Marcell Ozuna has hit a home run in each of the Braves’ last three night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Matt Olson has recorded at least one hit in each of the Braves’ last eight night games.
- Marcell Ozuna has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Braves’ last six games as favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Los Angeles Angels rank T28th in the league for triples this season (11).
- The Los Angeles Angels rank 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (443).
- The Atlanta Braves rank 1st in the league for strikeouts this season (1129).
- The Atlanta Braves rank 29th in the league for steals this season (50).
LA Angels vs Atlanta Braves Prediction
The Braves come into this series after a very nice series win against the Giants, but they have not played great over the last month. Atlanta is 32-31 on the road this year, while LA is 26-38 at home. The Angels are at the bottom of the AL West standings, but they have played some decent baseball over their last 11 games. LA is starting Soriano, who has been one of their lone bright spots this year. Atlanta is going with Schwellenbach, who has been very good so far this season. My LA Angels vs Atlanta Braves prediction is for this game to go under the total.