Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros Picks and Prediction for Sunday, September 20, 2026

On Sunday, the Atlanta Braves visit the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, with the opening pitch scheduled for 2:10 PM ET and televised on MLB.TV. Atlanta is 90-64, first in the NL East and five games ahead of Philadelphia, with eight games remaining. Houston is 77-77 and tied with Texas for first in the AL West, also with eight games remaining. The Astros are also one game behind the final AL Wild Card position. Atlanta won Friday’s series opener 6-2 after dropping three of its previous four games, while Houston has split its last four. Get ready for Sunday’s matchup with our free MLB picks.

Atlanta Braves Trying to Build on a Road Win

Atlanta snapped a two-game losing streak with Friday’s 6-2 victory in Houston and has gone 2-3 across its last five games. Matt Olson remains the biggest power threat with 40 home runs, 88 RBI and a .509 slugging percentage. Michael Harris II leads Atlanta with a .293 average and 165 hits while adding 26 homers, 85 RBI and 11 stolen bases. Drake Baldwin is batting .279 with a .354 on-base percentage, 24 home runs and 77 RBI. Ronald Acuna Jr. has added 19 homers and 20 stolen bases in 101 games, while Ozzie Albies has 22 home runs and 71 RBI.

The Braves are batting .248 with 712 runs, 1,289 hits and 195 home runs. Atlanta ranks 11th in MLB batting and owns a .311 on-base percentage and .411 slugging percentage. The pitching staff has been a major part of the Braves’ division lead, ranking fourth in MLB with a 3.63 ERA. Atlanta also owns a 1.25 WHIP and has held opponents to a .233 batting average while recording 47 saves and 10 shutouts. The Braves rank fifth in fielding with 65 errors and a .988 fielding percentage. Atlanta is 39-37 away from home this season.

Injuries: Robert Suarez (out), Joe Jimenez (out), Reynaldo Lopez (out), Bryce Elder (out), Lane Thomas (out).

Houston Astros Fighting for the AL West Lead

Houston fell 6-2 to Atlanta on Friday after beating Kansas City 6-2 the previous day. The Astros have gone 2-3 across their last five games, including a 14-4 loss at Tampa Bay. Yordan Alvarez has been Houston’s top hitter, batting .312 with 40 home runs, 99 RBI, 167 hits, a .431 on-base percentage and .600 slugging percentage. Jeremy Pena is batting .276 with 20 homers, 51 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Isaac Paredes has 21 home runs and 88 RBI, while Christian Walker has hit 25 homers with 80 RBI.

Houston is batting .239 with 683 runs, 1,237 hits and 206 home runs. The Astros rank 21st in MLB batting while recording a .313 on-base percentage and .410 slugging percentage. Houston’s pitching has been much less consistent, ranking 24th in MLB with a 4.52 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Opponents are batting .238 against the staff, which has recorded 48 saves and nine shutouts. The Astros rank ninth in fielding with 68 errors and a .987 fielding percentage. Houston has gone 39-40 at Daikin Park, leaving the Astros below .500 at home entering the weekend.

Injuries: Steven Okert (out), Brice Matthews (out), Mike Burrows (out), Carlos Correa (out), Brandon Walter (out).

Pitching Matchup

Atlanta Braves - Martin Perez

Martin Perez is 9-9 with a 3.07 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 137.2 innings. The left-hander has allowed 113 hits and 13 home runs while recording 100 strikeouts against 60 walks.

Houston Astros - Hunter Brown

Hunter Brown is 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.29 WHIP through 97 innings. Brown has recorded 110 strikeouts while allowing 76 hits, 49 walks and 11 home runs.

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros Game Pick

• Atlanta Braves

Atlanta is the pick in a matchup between two division leaders. The Braves own a clear advantage in overall pitching numbers with a 3.63 team ERA compared with Houston’s 4.52 mark, and Atlanta has allowed opponents to bat only .233. Perez also arrives with a 3.07 ERA over 137.2 innings. Houston has plenty of power with 206 home runs, but the Astros are only 39-40 at home. Atlanta’s combination of pitching, power, and a .248 team batting average makes the Braves the selection for Sunday.

Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros Over/Under Pick

• Under

The play is under, with Perez and Brown bringing solid starting numbers into Sunday. Perez has a 3.07 ERA and has surrendered only 13 home runs across 137.2 innings, while Brown owns a 3.43 ERA with 110 strikeouts in 97 innings. Atlanta’s pitching staff ranks fourth in MLB with a 3.63 ERA, and opponents are batting just .233 against Braves pitching. Houston has substantial home-run power, but its .239 team batting average ranks 21st in MLB. A controlled start from each pitcher can keep the scoring down.