The Atlanta Braves (89-73, 75-87 RL, 60-96-6 O/U collide with the San Diego Padres (93-69, 84-78 RL, 82-75-5 O/U) in game one of the NL Wildcard Series on Tuesday evening. The Braves have yet to name a pitcher. The Padres will reply with Michael King. The Padres won the season series 4-3.
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Atlanta Secures Wildcard Spot in Game 162
The Braves have not announced a starter for game one as of early Tuesday morning. This is understandable considering they had to play in the doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday and travel to San Diego. Chris Sale is dealing with back issues and is expected to miss the entire series. Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, and AJ Smith-Shawyer are the candidates to pitch. Bryce Elder has struggled this season, posting a disastrous 6.52 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP accompanied by a 2-5 record in 49.2 innings. AJ Smith-Shawver has only pitched 4.1 innings with the Braves this season.
Atlanta has been plagued with injuries to star players all season. Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. were injured early in the season and it's quite an accomplishment to qualify for the postseason without their services. The Braves were not particularly dominant in September but won their last three series of the season. They posted a 3-0 win in game two of yesterday's doubleheader to finally clinch a spot. The squad is five games above .500 on the road.
Matt Olson is being relied on at the plate especially considering the injury to Austin Riley who will not play in this series. Olson is hot, collecting 21 RBIs and a 1.00 OPS in September. The 30-year-old has 29 home runs with 98 RBIs and a .790 OPS. Olson posted four RBIs and a .632 OPS against the Padres this season.
Atlanta is averaging 4.34 runs per game, ranking them 15th. They have issued a 3.48 ERA, good for second.
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San Diego Gives the Nod to King in Game 1
The Padres will have Michael King on the mound on Tuesday evening. King was dominant in his most recent outing, allowing one run (zero earned) in five innings against the Dodgers, and was credited with a win. King, who was acquired in the Juan Soto deal, is having a breakout season. He has conceded one or zero runs in four of his last six outings and is sporting a 2.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP complemented by a 13-9 record in 173.2 innings on the season. King has not pitched against Atlanta this season and has not seen a whole lot of Atlanta in his career, issuing 3.2 scoreless innings.
San Diego is enjoying a dominating season. It was one of the best regular seasons in the organization's history, winning 93 games. The squad only lost two series in September. The offense is dangerous, leading the big leagues in batting average and ranking sixth in OPS. San Diego won three of four in Atlanta in the first series this season and dropped two of three in Atlanta in the second series.
Manny Machado is swinging a hot bat, collecting 22 RBIs and a .836 OPS in September. The 32-year-old third baseman is enjoying a monster season, clubbing 29 home runs along with 105 RBIs and a .797 OPS. Machado issued five RBIs and a sharp 1.00 OPS against the Braves this season.
San Diego is posting an average of 4.69 runs, rating them eighth. The pitching staff has reported a 3.86 ERA, placing them 12th.
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Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Atlanta Braves needed game 162 to secure a playoff spot. They have a big disadvantage in this one due to the scheduling. Atlanta had to play the doubleheader against the Mets on Monday to determine the wildcard seeding. The Braves had to travel to San Diego on Monday night.
Furthermore, the Braves have yet to announce who is pitching in game one. Chris Sale is injured. It is expected to be Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, or AJ Smith-Shawver. This is not ideal considering Elder has a 6.52 ERA. Smith Shawver has only pitched 4.1 innings with the Braves this season. The Padres looked good against the Braves this season, posting a 4-3 record. Padres pitcher Michael King is developing into an ace. King has generated a dazzling 1.57 ERA this month. This includes outings against the Astros and Dodgers.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
I expect runs to be at a premium in game one. The Padres contained the Atlanta offense in the regular season. Atlanta only averaged 3.1 runs against the Padres. They have scored three or fewer runs in four of their last five games.
In addition, the Braves pitching including the bullpen has been reliable, conceding four or fewer runs in nine of their last ten games. The bullpen has depth. The bullpen ranks third in the big leagues with a 3.32 ERA. Also, San Diego has been kept in check at the plate, scoring four or fewer runs in five of their last six home bouts. The under is a convincing 8-1-1 in the Padres' previous ten games.
