Atlanta Braves vs. Milwaukee Brewers Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/17/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Where to watch: Bally Sports South, Bally Sports Wisconsin

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Brewers -115, Braves -105
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Brewers -115, Braves -105

Season record
Braves: 16-20
Brewers: 23-13

We're fresh into this baseball season and of course it's AAA Sports jumping out to an 34-19-0 run in Major League Baseball over the course of the last 30 days. An incredible start to the season. We've seen some exciting games and some awesome moments, but what will happen as we keep rolling through the month of May? Catch AAA's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.

Braves - Brewers preview and analysis


Braves analysis


The Atlanta Braves let a huge opportunity get away from them. A 1-0 game against the Milwaukee Brewers? With how bad their bats have been? What a time to get a win when you've been in need of some consistent winning as of lately.

When Ian Anderson can give you six strong innings, and his only mistake was a wild pitch that led to the game's only run, that's one thing. But then you come back with only two hits? How in the world did this lineup get silenced that badly? More on that below, but even that's wild.

The best person on this night, though, was Spencer Strider, coming in for two innings and struck out three while only allowing one hit.

“I just want to pitch in the big leagues and help us win,” Strider said, who came in for the now-injured Tyler Matzek after feeling discomfort in his left shoulder. “I want to pitch as frequently as I can, have success, win games and get another World Series ring. Hopefully, I’ll contribute a lot more to the next one.” 

Not bad for a fourth-round pick in 2020, who really gave the Braves a legit chance to win.

“He has the repertoire, and I think he's got the right mentality for it,” Anderson said. “We love having him, and I'm sure you guys love watching him.”

Brewers analysis


Freddy Peralta might be the most forgotten of the three-headed dragon on the Milwaukee Brewers' pitching rotation. Man, did he ever force everyone to remember who in the world he is.

Ten strikeouts from Peralta was not a joke, nor were the 16 strikeouts total they got from Peralta and two relievers to get one of their more dominant pitching performances in quite a while.

“A lot of strikeouts,” Peralta said. “It’s normal for them, but it’s awesome.” 

But seriously, what a fun time for this group.

"Peralta was just spot on,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You go back and look at the at-bats. He was painting the black and the stuff was good. Then, the other two guys, oh my God. Williams and Hader, they are about as good as it gets, too."

The Brewers can look like the first-place team we expect them to be. Again, they're going to need more batting to consider this stretch a success, but having Peralta be your No. 2, or god forbid a No. 3, is good work for the Brewers.

Prediction


Adrian Houser isn't the overwhelming favorite here to be a dominant arm in this Milwaukee rotation, but I like his chances better than Tucker Davidson. At some points, Milwaukee's bats need to come alive before letting a potentially returning Ronald Acuna Jr. impacts the Braves. Brewers win 5-3

Betting trends


Braves are 6-4 against NL Central opponents this season.

Brewers are 18-6 against right-handed starters this season.

Brewers are 26-17 the last three seasons when Houser starts.

Projected lineup


Braves:
Travis Demeritte (R) RF
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Marcell Ozuna (R) LF
Ozzie Albies (S) 2B
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Adam Duvall (R) CF
William Contreras (R) C
Orlando Arcia (R) DH
SP - Tucker Davidson

Brewers:
Kolten Wong (L) 2B
Willy Adames (R) SS
Christian Yelich (L) LF
Luis Urias (R) 3B
Rowdy Tellez (L) DH
Hunter Renfroe (R) RF
Omar Narvaez (L) C
Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
Jace Peterson (L) 1B
SP - Adrian Houser

Statistical leaders


Braves:
Batting average: Matt Olson -- .262
Hits: Matt Olson -- 34
Home runs: Austin Riley -- 7
RBI: Dansby Swanson -- 16
Wins: Max Fried -- 4
Saves: Kenley Jansen -- 8
ERA: Kyle Wright -- 2.79

Brewers:
Batting average: Kolten Wong -- .257
Hits: Christian Yelich -- 31
Home runs: Two tied -- 9
RBI: Rowdy Tellez -- 29
Wins: Brandon Woodruff -- 4
Saves: Josh Hader -- 13
ERA: Corbin Burnes -- 1.77

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert MLB picks today. And if you enjoyed this Atlanta Braves - Milwaukee Brewers preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and predictions.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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