Braves vs. Astros Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/19/2022

Expect the long ball when Austin Riley (30 HR) and the Atlanta Braves (73-47) take on Yordan Alvarez (31 HR) and the Houston Astros (77-43) at Truist Park, beginning at 7:20 PM ET. The Braves are -130 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup. Kyle Wright gets the starting nod for Atlanta while Lance McCullers Jr. is Houston’s starter for the contest.

Braves vs. Astros Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Braves vs. Astros

After analyzing all of the key trends and statistics for this matchup, our best bet is the Astros on the moneyline at +110. Our computer picks see the scoring going under the total of 8.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Houston Astros (+110) and Under (8.5)

Braves vs. Astros Game Info

• Atlanta Braves probable starting pitcher: Kyle Wright
• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Lance McCullers Jr.
• Game Day: Friday, August 19, 2022
• Game Time: 7:20 PM ET
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Stadium: Truist Park

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros Pitching Matchup

Braves Starter Kyle Wright

• The Braves are sending Wright (14-5) to the mound for his 23rd start of the season. He is 14-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings pitched.
• In his last appearance on Wednesday, Aug. 10, the right-hander threw six innings against the Boston Red Sox, giving up one earned run while surrendering six hits.
• In 22 games this season, the 26-year-old has amassed an ERA of 3.14, with 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are hitting .235 against him.
• Wright has 15 quality starts under his belt this year.
• Wright will try to extend a seven-game streak of lasting five or more innings (he’s averaging 6.0 innings per appearance).
• He will take the mound against an Astros offense that is batting .246 as a unit (13th in MLB). It is also slugging a collective .427 (fifth in MLB) with 164 total home runs (third in MLB).
• Among pitchers who qualify in MLB action this season, the 26-year-old ranks 23rd in ERA (3.14), 29th in WHIP (1.166), and 27th in K/9 (8.6).

Astros Starter Lance McCullers Jr.

• Lance McCullers Jr. will get the start for the Astros, his second of the season.
• The right-hander’s last appearance was on Saturday, when he threw six scoreless innings while allowing two hits against the Oakland Athletics.
• He has pitched to a .00 ERA this season with 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings compared to 6 walks per nine across one games.
• The Braves have scored 585 runs this season, which ranks third in MLB. They are batting .252 for the campaign with 183 home runs, second in the league.

Braves Betting Picks & Insights

• The Braves have won 62, or 68.9%, of the 90 games they’ve played as favorites this season.
• Atlanta has a record of 58-22 in games where bookmakers favor them by at least -130 on the moneyline.
• The Braves have a 56.5% chance to win this game based on the implied probability of the moneyline.
• Atlanta and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 59 of their 119 opportunities.
• The Braves have an ATS record of 61-58-0 in 119 games with a spread this season.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• The Astros have won in eight, or 47.1%, of the 17 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• This year, Houston has won two of six games when listed as at least +110 or worse on the moneyline.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Astros have a 47.6% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.
• Houston and their opponents have gone over in 45 of their 121 games with a total set by sportsbooks this season.
• The Astros are 63-58-0 against the spread in their 121 games that had a posted line this season.

Braves Leaders & Batting Stats

• Riley leads the Braves with 30 dingers on the year. He’s also hitting .289 with 75 RBI.
• Among all hitters in baseball, Riley is fourth in homers and 11th in RBI.
• Matt Olson has racked up 79 runs batted in to pace his team.
• Olson is 15th in home runs and ninth in RBI on the season.
• Dansby Swanson has racked up a team-best batting average of .292.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. has 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 41 walks while batting .272.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alvarez leads the Astros with 31 homers while posting a team-leading batting average of .297.
• Among all hitters in the big leagues, Alvarez’s home run total ranks third and his RBI tally ranks 10th.
• Alvarez carries a three-game hitting streak into this matchup. In his last five games he is batting .267 with a double, three walks and three RBI.
• Alex Bregman has 32 doubles, 18 home runs and 64 walks while hitting .264.
• Bregman is currently 40th in homers and 18th in RBI in the big leagues.
• Kyle Tucker has racked up a team-best 80 runs batted in.
• Jose Altuve is batting .276 with 26 doubles, 20 home runs and 49 walks.