The Atlanta Braves (49-39) and Arizona Diamondbacks (45-45) begin a 4-game series Monday. First pitch from Chase Field is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Diamondbacks odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Braves lead 3-0
The Braves posted 2 wins over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, outscoring them 11-1 in the 2 victories after dropping the series opener 8-6 Friday. The Under has cashed in the 2 wins, while going 9-1-1 in the past 11 outings.
Atlanta is just 5-8 in 13 tries against NL West opponents this season, including 0-3 on the road. However, the Braves are 3-0 in 3 meetings with the Diamondbacks, outscoring Arizona 20-15 April 5-7, with the Over going 2-1.
The Diamondbacks won 2 of 3 games as underdogs against the Padres in San Diego. Arizona outscored San Diego 24-16 in a wild 3-game series, hitting the Over in each game. In fact, Arizona has seen the total cash high in 6 in a row, and 10 of the previous 12 outings.
Braves at Diamondbacks projected starters
LHP Chris Sale vs. RHP Yilber Diaz
Sale (11-3, 2.71 ERA) makes his 17th start. He has a 0.91 WHIP, 1.7 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 in 99 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 9 K in 3-1 home victory vs. San Francisco Giants Wednesday
- 2024 road splits: 3-3, 2.70 ERA (43 1/3 IP, 13 ER), 0.97 WHIP, .200 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 11 BB, 60 K in 7 starts
- 2024 vs. Diamondbacks: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K in 5-2 home victory April 7
- Career vs. Diamondbacks: 2-0, 2.53 ERA (10 2/3 IP, 3 ER), 0.94 WHIP, 8.4 K/9 in 2 starts and 1 relief appearance
Diaz (1-3, 3.27 ERA at Triple-A Reno) will make his MLB debut. He made 4 starts for Reno where he posted a 1.23 WHIP, 3.7 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 in 22 innings. He started the season with Double-A Amarillo (11 starts, 3-5, 4.33 ERA)
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 13 K in 7-0 road win vs. Sacramento River Cats (Giants’ Triple-A affiliate) July 1
- 2024 road splits (2 teams): 2-3, 2.45 ERA (25 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.17 WHIP, .159 OBA, 1 HR, 16 BB, 38 K in 5 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Braves at Diamondbacks odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:19 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Braves -194 (bet $194 to win $100) | Diamondbacks +162 (bet $100 to win $162)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Braves -1.5 (-114) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-104)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: +104 | U: -128)
Braves at Diamondbacks picks and predictions
Prediction
Braves 7, Diamondbacks 3
Moneyline
The Braves (-194) will cost nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too risky for not nearly enough reward.
The Diamondbacks (+162) hand the ball to Diaz, who makes his major league debut. It’s a very difficult spot for a rookie, facing a top-tier offense from Atlanta.
PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
The BRAVES -1.5 (-115) are a solid play behind Sale on the road, as the pitching scales are strongly tipped in favor of the visitors.
Atlanta has a veteran with 131 career wins in 279 starts and 359 appearances in the majors, while Arizona has a guy making his major league debut. Roll with experience.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (+104) is a good play, especially at plus-money.
The total has gone low at an 11-2-1 clip in the past 14 Games for the Braves, but the Over is 4-3 in the past 7 starts for Sale. The Over also cashed in 2 of the first 3 meetings this season between the 2 sides.
For the Diamondbacks, the Over is on a 6-0 roll, while going 10-2 in the past 12 outings. With a rookie making his debut against a top-tier team, it likely isn’t going to end well for the home side.
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