Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/19/2024

Game Time: 7:20 pm ET, Friday, April 19, 2024

Venue:  Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch:  Apple TV+

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +164, Braves -198; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +165, Braves -200; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Rangers +165, Braves -200; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

Texas Rangers:  11-9 (1st place, AL West)

Atlanta Braves:  12-5 (1st place, NL East)

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Texas Rangers:  5-5 last 10

Atlanta Braves:  7-3 last 10

The Rangers are entering this series off a win and won their 4-game series against the Detroit Tigers 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with an 11-9 record overall and have a road record of 6-4. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Braves on Friday. Their offense ranks 10th in the MLB with a .735 OPS. Jack Leiter was their starting pitcher on Thursday while Nathan Eovaldi is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 ER, 2 HR, and 2 BB with 3 Ks on 8 hits through 6 IP against the Houston Astros.

The Braves are entering this series off a win and completed the sweep in their 3-game series against the Houston Astros 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 12-5 record overall and have a home record of 4-2. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Rangers on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .842 OPS. Max Fried was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Chris Sale is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 earned runs, 1 homer, and 3 BB with 7 strikeouts on 6 hits through 7 innings played against the Miami Marlins.

The current betting odds have the Rangers listed as an underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Rangers have looked good in their games this season with their 11-9 record overall which has them leading their division in the American League. The Rangers are the World Series champions from last season and they have come out hot to start this season. Their offense has been one of the best in the MLB as they have been putting up a ton of runs in a lot of their games. Meanwhile, the Braves have looked really good in their games this season with their 12-5 record overall which has them leading their division in the National League. The Braves have the best record in the MLB right now as they have come out hot to start the season, but over the last few years they have been one of the best teams in the MLB, usually getting off to a hot start. They also have one of the best offenses in the MLB like the Rangers, but the Rangers are going to have the edge with the pitching matchup in this game. The Rangers are starting Eovaldi and he has been a solid starter for them going back to last season, but Eovaldi has also been a solid starter throughout his career as he doesn't give up many runs. The Braves are going with the former teammate of Eovaldi, Chris Sale as their starter in this game, but Sale hasn't pitched well in recent years due to a lot of injuries he has been dealing with. He is finally healthy to start a season this year but he hasn't pitched well in his few starts, giving up a lot of runs in those. The Rangers have an offense that can match the Braves here, especially with this pitching matchup, and the Rangers may not be as hot as the Braves to start the season, but they are still the World Series champions. The best way to place a bet here is on the Rangers to win this game. 

Rangers Braves Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Friday, April 19, 2024 (7:20 pm ET start time) is Rangers 6 Braves 4.

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Texas Rangers: 181-179 (-7.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 49-56 (-17.5 units) on the moneyline when the total is 9 to 9.5. 6-3 OVER as an underdog of +100 or higher. 4-2 OVER on the road when the total is 8.5 to 10.

Atlanta Braves: 219-130 (+20.7 units) on the moneyline in all games. 107-50 (+14.2 units) on the moneyline as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 5-1 OVER as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 5-1 OVER against left-handed starters.

Texas Rangers:  B. Burke (SP) Out indefinitely - Hand. M. Scherzer (SP) Early May - Back. C. Bradford (SP) Out indefinitely - Back. J. Sborz (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. J. Foscue (2B) Early June - Oblique. J. Jung (3B) Early June - Wrist. T. Mahle (SP) Mid July - Elbow. J. Hernandez (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. N. Lowe (1B) Late April - Oblique. C. Coleman (RP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. J. deGrom (SP) Mid July - Elbow.

Atlanta Braves:  O. Albies (2B) Mid May - Toe. S. Strider (SP) out for season - Elbow. A. Perdomo (RP) Out indefinitely - Elbow. S. Murphy (C) Out indefinitely - Oblique.

“Jonah battled up there. He didn’t hit it real hard, but placed it well. We needed those timely hits.” - Bruce Bochy after his team’s win against the Tigers in their game on Wednesday.

“He’s got a slow heartbeat. I like seeing him in big situations. Even last year he had a lot of big hits. He doesn’t get caught up in all the excitement. He stays calm and slows the game down and allow himself a chance.” - Brian Snitker after his team’s win against the Astros in their game on Wednesday.

Marcus Semien (R) 2B

Corey Seager (L) SS

Evan Carter (L) LF

Adolis García (R) RF

Josh Smith (L) 3B

Wyatt Langford (R) DH

Jonah Heim (S) C

Ezequiel Duran (R) 1B

Leody Taveras (S) CF

Ronald Acuña Jr. (R) RF

Michael Harris II (L) CF

Austin Riley (R) 3B

Matt Olson (L) 1B

Marcell Ozuna (R) DH

Orlando Arcia (R) SS

Travis d'Arnaud (R) C

Jarred Kelenic (L) LF

Luis Guillorme (L) 2B

Batting Average:  Justin Foscue (.500)

Hits:  Adolis García (21)

Home Runs:  Adolis García (4)

RBI:  Adolis García (17)

Stolen Bases:  Adolis García (4)

Wins:  Cody Bradford (3)

Saves:  José Leclerc (1)

ERA:  Kirby Yates (0.00)

Batting Average:  Orlando Arcia (.377)

Hits:  Marcell Ozuna (25)

Home Runs:  Marcell Ozuna (8)

RBI:  Marcell Ozuna (23)

Stolen Bases:  Ronald Acuña (8)

Wins:  A.J. Minter (3)

Saves:  Raisel Iglesias (5)

ERA:  Reynaldo López (0.50)

Managers:

Texas Rangers: Bruce Bochy (2nd season)

Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker (9th season)