Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Can Charlie Morton Lead Braves to a Win?

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction: Can Charlie Morton Lead Braves to a Win?

There was a time when Charlie Morton was one of if not the best pitcher in baseball. That was back in 2018 and 2019 when Morton had a sub-3.15 ERA and one of the best breaking pitches in MLB. You don’t get the nickname Uncle Charlie if you didn’t at one point have the nastiest curveball in the game. Does the two-time All-Star and MLB World Series Champion have any gas left in the tank for the Braves in 2023?

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction

I’ve watched more NL East baseball games than most fans over the years. Unfortunately, as a Nationals fan, I still have PTSD from Morton carving up the Nationals' offense for years. Five years ago, Morton had a strikeout rate close to 30%, an incredible feat. In 2022, Morton only struck out 13.5% of hitters, hence why he finished the year with a 4.34 ERA. Uncle Charlie simply isn’t the pitcher he used to be. It’s no knock on the ace; he’s been around since 2008 and has racked up serious mileage on that right arm.

In two starts this season, Morton has looked eerily similar to his 2022 self. With a WHIP at 1.94 and a lack of command, expect numerous free passes on the base paths for the Royals tonight. Although the Royals' offense has looked putrid to start the season, the bats have come alive in the last two games. Bobby Witt Jr. has carried the Royals at the plate this week, with two hits on Tuesday and three hits on Wednesday.

After a slow start, MJ Melendez is heating up at the top of that Royals lineup with six hits and four RBIs in his last five games. It looks like the Royals' bats are heating up at the right time with a matchup against one of baseball’s most prevalent “turkey tossers” (referring to throwing meat right down the plate).

It is very rare that you’ll ever see the Atlanta Braves at this sort of a price against the Royals. With a high total that’s moving up, are oddsmakers expecting the Royals’ bats to stay hot against a pitcher who’s way past his prime? The Braves are getting slammed with bets, but the odds on the moneyline have yet to shift. It looks like the books are content with being overexposed on Morton and Atlanta tonight.

Although Brady Singer has not looked like himself in 2023, we know he is still one of the best young arms in baseball. The kid had a 3.23 ERA last year; expect the youngster to look much more like 2022 Brady Singer tonight. Back the Royals at plus money to keep the bats hot and rough up Uncle Charlie as he continues to struggle.

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Pick

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Royals vs. Braves Start Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Friday, April 14, 2023
• Game Time: 8:10 pm ET
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV

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