In the first of a two-game series between the Atlanta Braves (31-34) and the Boston Red Sox (31-34) at Turner Field, Alex Wood (4-4, 3.56 ERA) and Joe Kelly (2-4, 5.45 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jun. 17 and will air on NESN and SPSO.
In his last start, Wood pitched 6.1 innings, giving up four runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking four in a 5-3 loss to the Mets. Freddie Freeman (.303, 43 Rs, 12 HRs, 41 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Braves, Kelly is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA. He meets a solid Atlanta offense that’s batting .260. Dustin Pedroia (.313, 31 Rs, 9 HRs, 27 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 3 yesterday.
Atlanta is a small -110 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Braves perform well as a favorite with a 9-6 record and have an overall money line of +350. They haven’t performed up to expectations against the AL, with a 0-1 record as the favorite. The Braves have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire NL, averaging 4.3 runs per game. In games against American League opponents, Atlanta’s pitchers are doing better against opposing batters. It only gives up an average of 3.8 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.5.
Switching gears, the Red Sox come into this game with a win percentage of .429 when playing as the underdog (9-12) and an overall money line of -1,844. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-2 record and 3-7 SU. Boston has stepped up their play against interleague opponents averaging an impressive 5.7 runs per game compared to their 3.8 runs per game season average. Boston has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.2 in the AL with second walks per game.
This game will feature Kelly (RHP) on the mound against the Braves, who have a 27-29 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Red Sox will be the left-hander Wood. They sport an 8-10 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Over
Notes
The Red Sox are 2-2 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Braves are 2-3 in such matchups.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Braves have a 13-17 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 23-12. The Red Sox have a 24-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Boston sits in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 258 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 278.
Ranking 14th, Atlanta is in the top half of the league in walks, notching 195 this season. Boston ranks in the top five at fourth with 212.
When the Braves hit at least one home run, they are 19-11. When the Red Sox hit at least one homer, they have a 21-21 record.
