by Rod Pearson
Friday, Aug 18, 2023
Game Time: 7:20 pm ET, Saturday, August 19, 2023
Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Where to Watch: BSSE
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Giants +105, Braves -125; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Giants +105, Braves -125; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Giants +100, Braves -120; Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Season Record
San Francisco Giants: 64-57 (2nd place, NL West)
Atlanta Braves: 78-42 (1st place, NL East)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jack Banks is having a great MLB SEASON going 106-68 for +$26,580! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
San Francisco Giants: 3-7 last 10
Atlanta Braves: 8-2 last 10
San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves Preview and Analysis
The Giants are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 64-57 record overall and have a road record of 29-29. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Braves on Saturday with the series opener of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 23rd in the MLB with a .702 OPS. Alex Cobb is their starting pitcher on Friday while Logan Webb is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 9-9 with a 3.26 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 6 Ks on 6 hits through 8.2 IP against the Texas Rangers.
The Braves are entering this series on a 3 game winning streak and completed the sweep 3-0 in their 3-game series against the New York Yankees in their last series. They enter this game with a 78-42 record overall and have a home record of 40-20. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Giants on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .846 OPS. Spencer Strider is their starting pitcher on Friday while Yonny Chirinos is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 5-5 with a 5.22 ERA this season. His team won 3 of their last 4 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 6 earned runs, 0 homers, and 2 BB with 5 strikeouts on 7 hits through 4.2 innings played against the New York Mets.
Giants vs Braves Prediction
The current betting odds have the Giants listed as a slight underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Braves have been rolling in their games lately with the best record in the entire MLB and the best offense too but even though the Giants offense hasn't been nearly as good this season, they have still had some very good pitching all year and they do have the better pitching matchup in this game that they can lean on. They will have Webb starting here and he has been great all season as he doesn't give up many runs at all and even in his last start he almost pitched the entire game only giving up 1 earned run. Meanwhile, the Braves are going with Chirinos here who they acquired from the Rays before the trade deadline but he was starting to struggle for the Rays in his appearances and he hasn't been any better as a starter for the Braves since coming to Atlanta. He also gave up 6 runs in his last start so the Giants are definitely going to get their opportunities to score in this game and they will take advantage with how bad Chirinos has been. Webb has been really good and consistent all season so he really has the best chance on this pitching staff to shut down this hot Braves offense and he will definitely have the motivation pitching against the best team in baseball right now. The best way to place a bet here is on the Giants to win this game.
Giants Braves Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, August 19, 2023 (7:20 pm ET start time) is Giants 4 Braves 1.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today. And if you enjoyed this San Francisco Giants Atlanta Braves prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.
MLB Betting Trends
San Francisco Giants: 3-7 (-6 units) on the moneyline after 6 consecutive games versus interleague opponents. 45-44 (-6.1 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 10-12 (-5.9 units) on the moneyline against NL East opponents.
Atlanta Braves: 78-42 (+11.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 71-35 (+11.1 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -110 or higher. 63-35 (+7 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters.
Key Injuries
San Francisco Giants: A. DeSclafani (SP) out for season - Elbow. M. Haniger (RF) Early Sept - Forearm. M. Yastrzemski (RF) Late Aug - Hamstring. J. Brebbia (RP) Late Aug - Back. A. Pollock (DH) Early Sept - Oblique. C. Waites (RP) out for season - Elbow. T. Szapucki (SP) out for season - Arm. R. Perez (C) out for season - Shoulder.
Atlanta Braves: O. Albies (2B) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. E. Adrianza (2B) Late Aug - Shoulder. J. Chavez (RP) Late Aug - Shin. D. Lee (SP) Late Aug - Shoulder. D. Hernandez (SP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. N. Anderson (SP) Early Sept - Shoulder. K. Wright (SP) Early Sept - Shoulder. S. Hilliard (LF) Out indefinitely - Heel. K. Allard (SP) Out indefinitely - Shoulder. T. Matzek (RP) out for season - Elbow. H. Ynoa (SP) out for season - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“One day we'll have monitors in the dugout and be able to watch this stuff because you actually see the game even better than you do from the dugout. That was a really fun moment. It was great to see Joc break out in that big smile, both in the moment and then the camera panned to him in the dugout after the call was confirmed on the field and just a huge smile comes out.” - Gabe Kapler after his team’s win against the Rays in their game on Tuesday.
“I think I just physically felt better tonight.” - Charlie Morton after their win against the Yankees in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
San Francisco Giants
Wade Meckler (L) CF
Joc Pederson (L) DH
Wilmer Flores (R) 1B
Michael Conforto (L) RF
J.D. Davis (R) 3B
Blake Sabol (L) C
Thairo Estrada (R) 2B
Johan Camargo (S) SS
Heliot Ramos (R) LF
Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF
Michael Harris II (L) CF
Austin Riley (R) 3B
Matt Olson (L) 1B
Marcell Ozuna (R) DH
Eddie Rosario (L) LF
Travis d'Arnaud (R) C
Orlando Arcia (R) SS
Nicky Lopez (L) 2B
Statistical Leaders
San Francisco Giants
Batting Average: Johan Camargo (.429)
Hits: J.D. Davis (92)
Home Runs: Wilmer Flores (16)
RBI: J.D. Davis (56)
Stolen Bases: Thairo Estrada (18)
Wins: Logan Webb (9)
Saves: Camilo Doval (33)
ERA: Mauricio Llovera (1.69)
Atlanta Braves
Batting Average: Charlie Culberson (1.000)
Hits: Ronald Acuna (161)
Home Runs: Matt Olson (43)
RBI: Matt Olson (107)
Stolen Bases: Ronald Acuna (55)
Wins: Spencer Strider (13)
Saves: Raisel Iglesias (23)
ERA: Dereck Rodriguez (0.00)
Managers:
San Francisco Giants: Gabe Kapler (4th season)
Atlanta Braves: Brian Snitker (8th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
