In the first of a four-game series between the Atlanta Braves (19-20) and the Milwaukee Brewers (19-20) at Turner Field, Julio Teheran (3-1, 4.33 ERA) and Matt Garza (2-5, 5.72 ERA) get the start. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 21 and will air on FSN-WI and SPSO.
Teheran has a 1.69 ERA and a 1-2 record in his career against the Brewers, and faces a struggling Milwaukee offense that’s hitting just .229 on the year. Freddie Freeman (.303, 25 Rs, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. In his pitching opportunities against the Braves, Garza is 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA. He meets a strong Atlanta offense that’s batting .255. Ryan Braun (.263, 24 Rs, 10 HRs, 28 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Atlanta is a -132 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Braves are 5-5 as the favorite and have an overall money line of +30. They have a winless record (0-1) in games played as the favorite during their last 10 games. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the NL with an average of only 6.3 strikeouts per game. Turning to the pitching staff, the Braves are fourth in the NL in hits allowed with just 8.4 per game.
Across the field, the Brewers have a record of 11-15 when they are the underdog and are -889 overall with the money line. During the last 10 games, they averaged 4.9 runs per game, above their 3.8 season average.
The Braves will take on a right-hander (Garza) in this game and have a 16-18 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Brewers will be the right-hander Teheran. They sport a 12-19 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Over
Notes
The Brewers are 1-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Braves are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Brewers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Braves who are heading in with a 7-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 14-6. The Brewers have a 10-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st, Milwaukee sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 155 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 15th with 164.
Ranking 26th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 94 this season. Atlanta ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 118.
The Braves are 12-7 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Brewers are 14-10 when they hit at least one homer.
