Braves vs. Astros Prediction, Computer Picks, Odds & Pitching Matchup 8/20/2022

The Atlanta Braves (74-47) host the Houston Astros (77-44) at 7:15 PM ET Saturday for a sluggers’ duel between two of the best power hitters in MLB. For the favored Braves (-140), Austin Riley has racked up 31 homers this season, third in the league, while Yordan Alvarez ranks third in the majors with 31 dingers of his own this season for the underdogs. Spencer Strider takes the mound for Atlanta while Cristian Javier is Houston’s starter for the contest.

Braves vs. Astros Spread and Betting Line

Computer Predictions for Braves vs. Astros

Our best bet is the Astros on the moneyline at +119 after taking a look at all of the key statistics and trends for this matchup. Our computer projects the scoring will over the total of 7.5 runs.

Our computer pick: Houston Astros (+119) and Over (7.5)

Braves vs. Astros Game Info

• Atlanta Braves probable starting pitcher: Spencer Strider
• Houston Astros probable starting pitcher: Cristian Javier
• Game Day: Saturday, August 20, 2022
• Game Time: 7:15 PM ET
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Stadium: Truist Park

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros Pitching Matchup

Braves Starter Spencer Strider

• Strider makes the start for the Braves, his 15th of the season. He is 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 94 2/3 innings pitched.
• In his most recent time out on Monday, the right-hander went five innings against the New York Mets, allowing one earned run while surrendering three hits.
• The 23-year-old has amassed an ERA of 3.04, with 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings, in 25 games this season. Opposing hitters have a .184 batting average against him.
• Strider is trying to record his sixth quality start of the year.
• Strider has pitched five or more innings in a game eight times this season heading into this game.
• The opposing Astros offense has the fifth-ranked slugging percentage (.426) and is third in MLB play with 165 home runs. It has a collective .245 batting average, and is 15th in MLB with 991 total hits and seventh in MLB play scoring 556 runs.

Astros Starter Cristian Javier

• The Astros will hand the ball to Javier (7-8) for his 19th start of the season.
• The right-hander’s last appearance was on Sunday, when he threw six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics while allowing one hit.
• The 25-year-old has pitched in 22 games this season with an ERA of 2.96 and 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .184.
• If he completes six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs allowed, he’ll earn his fourth quality start in a row.
• Javier has five starts in a row of five innings or more.
• The Braves have scored 591 runs this season, which ranks third in MLB. They have 1042 hits, sixth in baseball, with 184 home runs (second in the league).

Braves Betting Picks & Insights

• The Braves have entered the game as favorites 91 times this season and won 63, or 69.2%, of those games.
• This season, Atlanta has won 54 of its 75 games, or 72%, when favored by at least -140 on the moneyline.
• The moneyline for this contest implies a 58.3% chance of a victory for the Braves.
• Atlanta and its opponents have hit the over in 59 of their 120 games with a total this season.
• The Braves are 62-58-0 against the spread this season.

Astros Betting Picks & Insights

• The Astros have been victorious in eight, or 44.4%, of the 18 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season.
• This season, Houston has been victorious one time in four chances when named as an underdog of at least +119 or worse on the moneyline.
• Bookmakers have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Astros have a 45.7% chance of pulling out a win.
• Houston and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 45 of their 122 opportunities.
• In 122 games with a line this season, the Astros have a mark of 63-59-0 against the spread.

Braves Leaders & Batting Stats

• Riley paces the Braves with 31 home runs.
• In all of Major League Baseball, Riley ranks third in homers and 10th in RBI.
• Riley has collected a hit in two games in a row. In his last five games he is batting .263 with a home run, a walk and four RBI.
• Matt Olson has totaled 80 runs batted in to lead his team.
• Of all major league hitters, Olson ranks 15th in home runs and eighth in RBI.
• Dansby Swanson paces the Braves with a .295 batting average.
• Swanson has at least one base hit in two games in a row. In his last five games he is batting .421 with three doubles, two walks and seven RBI.
• Ronald Acuna Jr. is batting .274 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 walks.

Astros Leaders & Batting Stats

• Alvarez paces the Astros with 31 homers while recording a team-leading batting average of .295.
• Among all hitters in the majors, Alvarez’s home run total ranks third and his RBI tally ranks 11th.
• Alex Bregman is hitting .264 with 33 doubles, 18 home runs and 64 walks.
• Among all MLB hitters, Bregman is 40th in homers and 19th in RBI.
• Kyle Tucker has a team-best 81 runs batted in.
• Jose Altuve is hitting .279 with 26 doubles, 20 home runs and 49 walks.