Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Picks, Odds: Can We Bank on Austin Riley and the Braves?

Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Picks, Odds: Can We Bank on Austin Riley and the Braves?

It was a tough weekend for the Braves, as they went into New York to face their NL east foes in a five-game series and came away with only one win. The 1-4 series against the Mets dropped the Braves down to seven games behind in the NL east. However, there is still a third of the season left, and the Braves still have time to take the division. A bounce-back win here would go a long way for the defending champions. Let's get into my prediction, pick, and odds for the Red Sox vs Braves game.

Red Sox vs Braves Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

Date: August 9, 2022

Game Time: 7:10 pm ET

Where to Watch: TBS

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Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction

The Red Sox are not in the same position as the Braves, as they are in last place in the AL east and are 17 games behind the Yankees. The Red Sox have had issues going on runs and seem to not have the same synergy they had in previous seasons. They are now 1-4 in their last five games, going 1-3 in Kansas City over the weekend. They are back at home now and will try to get back in the win column to try and move out of last place in the division.

Charlie Morton mans the mound for the Braves tonight. Morton is 5-5 on the season with a 4.09 ERA. Morton struggled immensely to start the season, posting a 7.00 ERA in April and a 4.6 ERA in May. His ERA has come down every month since then, and he has looked better in his recent starts. He is most recently coming off a 6.2-inning shutout against the Phillies and had another shutout over six innings against the Angels three starts ago. Except for a rough outing against the Mets, Morton has looked excellent since the beginning of July. Morton hasn't started against the Red Sox since last season, but in that start, he went seven innings while only allowing one run. I think Morton gives the Braves the boost they need to start this series strong after the tough series against the Mets.

Rich Hill starts for the Red Sox tonight, and he is 4-5 on the season with a 4.52 ERA. His season trajection has been pretty much the opposite of Morton's. Hill started the season with a 3.7 ERA in April but has been hit hard in recent starts. His last time out was a start against the Astros, where he gave up four runs in three innings. The start before that, he was hit for three runs in 4.2 innings against the Cubs. Hill also dealt with an injury that kept him out for about four weeks, so I'm not sure he'll get too deep into this game. This is a problem, considering the Red Sox have the fourth-worst bullpen in the league with a 4.42 average ERA. I expect Hill to pitch 3-4 innings and allow three or so runs to a potent Braves lineup.

The Braves have been crushing lefties all year, and they have a .262 against left-handed pitching this season on the road. The Braves are 25-12 when they start against a lefty and 39-34 when they start against a righty. The Braves are also 5-1 in their last six games in Boston. They are coming off a tough series loss against the Mets, and I expect them to come out locked in to get back in the win column. The Red Sox have not looked good as of late and are facing a pitcher who has been progressing in his last few outings. Take the Braves to take game one of this series.

Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves Pick

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