Diamondbacks vs Braves MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick.

Diamondbacks vs Braves MLB Odds, Preview & Expert Pick

Written by on April 17, 2019

Kevin Gausman has proven to be a terrific trade addition for the Atlanta Braves during last season from the Baltimore Orioles. Gausman takes the bump on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks and Zack Godley, with the Braves as MLB Betting favorites.

How to Bet Diamondbacks vs Braves MLB Odds & Game Info

Why Bet on Arizona?

After losing Paul Goldschmidt and Patrick Corbin this offseason, the Diamondbacks were expected to take a step back and they have. They could be buried in the NL West by the time they play at home again on April 26 vs. the Cubs.

David Peralta has been a hitting machine to start the season, racking up 25 hits in the D-backs’ first 16 games. This ranks second in the whole league entering this week. Peralta’s hits haven’t been cheap either, as he has hit 24 balls with an exit velocity of 95 miles per hour or more. This is good for ninth in the league and higher than players such as Aaron Judge, Josh Donaldson, and Freddie Freeman. Out of all the balls Peralta has made put in play this season, 23.2 percent of them have been line drives. This would be a new career high if it holds up across the whole season.

It’s struggling Zack Godley (1-1, 7.41) on the mound here. Godley didn’t factor into the decision against the Padres last Thursday, giving up six earned runs on six hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking three as the Diamondbacks eventually fell 7-6.

Godley followed up a strong outing against the Red Sox in his last start with a dud, as he was victimized by a sixth-inning, three-run long ball from Austin Hedges that ruined his final line. He did manage eight strikeouts, but the six earned tallies raise his ERA to a bloated 7.41 to go along with a 1.47 WHIP over 17 innings.

One defensive misplay lengthened that sixth inning vs. the Padres and led to the next 4 runs. With runners at first and second, Hunter Renfroe hit a grounder into a left defensive shift. Ideally, Nick Ahmed fields the ball and throws to Ketel Marte at second base for an out. Instead, Marte fielded the ball, and Ahmed ran to second, arriving after the baserunner. If the out at second base happened, then Franmil Reyes’ strike out would have been the second out, and the Fernando Tatis sacrifice fly would not have scored a run. Hedges would not get to the plate to hit a 3-run homer.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 5.65
  • Hits: 9.82
  • Walks: 2.88
  • Strike Outs: 8.71

Defense

  • Runs: 5.88
  • Hits: 8.88
  • Walks: 3.76
  • Strike Outs: 9.12

Why Bet on Atlanta?

The Braves are down a key lefty reliever as Jonny Venters was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain. Perhaps that injury is what was preventing Venters from being his normal self this season. The southpaw, that was one of the best stories in the MLB last year, has a 20.25 ERA in six appearances this season. It’s been so bad he’s only been able to finish 2.2 innings in those six outings, walking five, allowing six hits, including two home runs.

On Monday, second-year outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. was named the NL Player of the Week. Last week, he hit .545 and helped the Braves to a 4-2 record against the Rockies and Mets. Acuna had an on-base percentage of .630 and a slugging percentage of 1.081 during the week with three homers, a double and triple and nine RBI. He also scored seven times, walked four times and stole a base.

Diamondbacks vs Braves is going to be a close one.

Acuna Jr. is one of just two 21-and-under players in MLB history to hit 30-plus homers in his first 600 plate appearances, joining Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger. His .935 career OPS through his age-21 season trails only Albert Pujols (1.013) and Mike Trout (.948) on the all-time list.

It’s Kevin Gausman for the Braves. On July 31, 2018, the Orioles traded Gausman to the Braves. He changed leagues. He moved from a team that finished last to a team that finished first. His ERA improved from 4.43 to 2.87. In an interview, he said the National League is different than the American League. He said the power is not as much top to bottom. For Gausman, new perspectives made a huge difference.

Last time out, Gausman (1-1) allowed four earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Mets. Gausman served up a three-run homer to Amed Rosario in the second inning to account for three of his four earned runs. He was relatively sharp after that frame, as he allowed only four singles and a walk in his final 3.2 innings of work.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Runs: 5.50
  • Hits: 9.00
  • Walks: 5.12
  • Strike Outs: 8.50

Defense

  • Runs: 4.75
  • Hits: 8.12
  • Walks: 4.69
  • Strike Outs: 8.25

Diamondbacks vs Braves MLB Betting Trends

  • Diamondbacks are 2-6 in Godley’s last 8 starts
  • Braves are 6-1 in Gausman’s last 7 home starts
  • Arizona is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Arizona is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road
  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona’s last 8 games on the road
  • Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
  • Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing Arizona

Expert Final Score Prediction for Diamondbacks vs Braves

Arizona Diamondbacks 3 – Atlanta Braves 4