Diamondbacks vs Braves Prediction & Pick | MLB Odds (Friday)
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Diamondbacks vs Braves Odds
| Diamondbacks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
+235 | 9 -105o / -115u | +1.5 +115 |
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Over/Under | Run Line |
-292 | 9 -105o / -115u | -1.5 -135 |
The Atlanta Braves return to Truist Park for their home opener on Friday night as they welcome the defending National League champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks, who are away from Phoenix for the first time this season following a winning homestand, face one of the top strikeout pitchers in baseball — Spencer Strider — in the series opener. Arizona counters with left-hander Tommy Henry. Despite the massive starting pitching mismatch (on paper), my Diamondbacks vs Braves prediction is on Arizona to cover the run line (+1.5; +115).
Let's dive into Diamondbacks vs Braves odds — which have the Braves as -292 favorites on the moneyline — and get to my Diamondbacks vs Braves pick and prediction for Friday, April 5.
The Diamondbacks exploded for 23 runs in their first two wins over the hapless Colorado Rockies to start the season. Since then, Arizona is 2-3, which includes dropping two of three at home to the Yankees.
Arizona ace Zac Gallen is responsible for two of the team's wins so far, but he likely won't face this stacked Braves' lineup this weekend as he last pitched on Tuesday.
The D-backs turn to left-hander Tommy Henry in Friday's opener, who looks to rebound off a rough first start against Colorado. Henry was staked an early 2-0 lead last Friday, but the Rockies rallied back for five runs in the 5th inning as Colorado topped Arizona, 9-4.
Henry was tagged for five runs and six hits in four innings of work, marking Arizona's fifth straight defeat with the southpaw on the mound dating back to last July.
Through seven games, Arizona's offense has struck out only 21 times against its opponents' starting pitchers. However, it will be a difficult task to keep that run going on Friday night.
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Spencer Strider led Major League Baseball in strikeouts last season with 281 Ks, while also posting 20 wins for the Braves.
Strider scattered three hits and yielded two runs in a 9-3 blowout of the Phillies on opening day. The Atlanta right-hander posted eight strikeouts, but still fell short of his strikeout total of 8.5.
Last season, Strider went over his strikeout prop in 11 of 16 home games, while compiling nine or more strikeouts 13 times at Truist Park.
In two matchups against the Diamondbacks in 2023, Strider struck out 20 batters in 12 innings of work as Atlanta went 2-0 in those games.
The Braves exploded for 21 runs in the first two wins against the Phillies but slowed down a bit the last few games. Granted, the Braves shut out the White Sox 9-0 on Monday, but Atlanta has also mixed in 4 and 2-run efforts in losses this week.
Atlanta hasn't played since Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Chicago as Wednesday's game was postponed due to poor weather.
In two games against left-handed starting pitchers, the Braves' lineup has racked up plenty of strikeouts. Philadelphia's Ranger Suarez picked up seven strikeouts on Sunday against Atlanta, while Chicago's Garrett Crochet sat down eight Braves via the strikeout on Tuesday.
Diamondbacks vs. Braves
Betting Pick & Prediction
Strider hasn't taken the mound since opening day so we'll see how the few extra days off affects him. Obviously, Strider will rack up strikeouts and keep Arizona's bats at bay.
However, look for Henry to pitch better than his first outing and Arizona pulled off plenty of big road wins in the playoffs last season so this spot is not too big for the D-backs.
Let's grab Arizona on the runline here against the Braves in the opener.
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