Today’s Best Bets
Sam Choudhury
Bettings
We will head to Atlanta Friday for our MLB best bet, where the Guardians and Braves will set off a three-game interleague series in Truist Park. This will be the first time these teams have faced off since the 2019 season, and the Guardians’ first time in Atlanta since 2016.
Both teams enter Friday leading their respective divisions. Left-hander Logan Allen will take the mound for the Guardians, while veteran lefty Chris Sale will get the start for the Braves. Allen is off to a shaky start in his 2024 campaign — he totes a 3-0 record but has a 5.06 ERA. We will look for the Braves to make this season shake a bit more for the young lefty this season.
The Braves have picked up right where they left off offensively last season. They lead baseball in runs per game once again at 5.96. Atlanta is also in the top six in the first-five-inning scoring, with 2.83 runs per first five. They’ve also had their way with left-handed pitching again, entering Friday with the seventh-best wRC+ and ninth-best OBP almost one month into the season.
Allen has allowed at least three runs in four of his five starts and has struggled in night games with a 6.91 ERA. We will back the Braves offense to get to Allen early and often to keep the trends rolling in front of the Atlanta faithful.
Atlanta Braves First 5 Team Total Over 2.5 Runs (-130, ESPN BET)
