Arizona Diamondbacks vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Prediction for Sunday, August 16, 2026

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at 1:35 PM ET at Truist Park. Arizona is 65-58, third in the NL West and nine games behind the Dodgers after Friday’s 2-0 win over Atlanta. The Diamondbacks are 3-2 over their last five games. Atlanta is 73-49, first in the NL East and 8.5 games ahead of Philadelphia after Friday’s loss. The Braves are also 3-2 over their last five. Arizona leads the series 1-0 entering Saturday’s matchup. Build your bankroll with our free MLB picks.

Arizona Diamondbacks Look to Soroka for Another Strong Start

Arizona is batting .243 with a .316 on-base percentage and .397 slugging percentage while scoring 554 runs with 119 home runs. Gabriel Moreno leads the Diamondbacks with a .304 average and .381 on-base percentage, while Ketel Marte has a team-high 21 home runs and 67 RBIs. Corbin Carroll has added 18 homers, 57 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Arizona has scored 17 runs across its last five games, including nine in Monday’s shutout win over Colorado.

The Diamondbacks rank 16th in MLB pitching with a 4.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while opponents are batting .251. Michael Soroka gives Arizona an advantage on the mound Sunday. The right-hander is 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 86.1 innings, allowing only six home runs with 83 strikeouts and 20 walks. Arizona enters the weekend with a 29-31 road record and has won three of its last five.

Injuries: Ketel Marte (Day-To-Day), Justin Martinez (60-Day IL), Ryan Thompson (15-Day IL), Jordan Lawlar (10-Day IL), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (10-Day IL).

Atlanta Braves Have the Stronger Season Numbers

Atlanta is batting .248 with a .313 on-base percentage and .418 slugging percentage while scoring 591 runs with 164 home runs. Matt Olson leads the Braves with 35 home runs and 74 RBIs while carrying an .882 OPS. Michael Harris II is batting a team-best .290 with 128 hits, 20 homers and 67 RBIs. Drake Baldwin has also provided solid production, batting .274 with 20 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .359 on-base percentage.

Atlanta ranks fifth in MLB pitching with a 3.60 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while holding opponents to a .228 average. The Braves have 1,040 strikeouts, 37 saves and 44 quality starts. Bryce Elder starts Sunday with an 8-7 record, 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 131.2 innings. Elder has surrendered 21 home runs, with 108 strikeouts and 45 walks. Atlanta’s 41-22 home record remains one of its biggest advantages in this matchup.

Injuries: Reynaldo Lopez (15-Day IL), Joe Jimenez (60-Day IL), Robert Suarez (15-Day IL), Spencer Strider (60-Day IL), Spencer Schwellenbach (60-Day IL).

Pitching Matchup

Arizona Diamondbacks – Michael Soroka

Soroka is 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 86.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 75 hits, 20 walks and six home runs while striking out 83. Soroka has done a strong job limiting baserunners and keeping the ball in the park, but he faces an Atlanta lineup batting .248 with 164 home runs and a .418 slugging percentage. Matt Olson’s 35 home runs make avoiding mistakes especially important against the Braves.

Atlanta Braves – Bryce Elder

Elder is 8-7 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP through 131.2 innings. The right-hander has allowed 120 hits, 45 walks and 21 home runs while recording 108 strikeouts. Elder faces an Arizona lineup batting .243 with a .316 on-base percentage and 119 home runs. His 21 homers allowed could provide an opening for Ketel Marte and the Diamondbacks, although Arizona has scored four runs or fewer in four of its last five games.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Atlanta Braves Game Pick

• Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona is the game pick behind the stronger starting pitcher. Soroka owns a 2.92 ERA and 1.10 WHIP compared with Elder’s 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. Atlanta has the stronger overall offense and pitching staff, but Arizona already opened the series with a 2-0 win and has allowed only five runs across its last three games. Soroka’s ability to limit baserunners gives the Diamondbacks a good opportunity to win.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Atlanta Braves Over/Under Pick

• Under

The under is the total pick because Sunday features a strong Arizona starter and two teams coming off a low-scoring series opener. Soroka has allowed only 75 hits and six home runs in 86.1 innings, while Atlanta owns a 3.60 team ERA. Arizona has scored four runs or fewer in four of its last five games. With Soroka’s 2.92 ERA leading the matchup and Atlanta’s pitching staff ranking fifth in MLB, a lower-scoring game that cashing under the closing total is the play.