Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction: Will the Bats Get to Spencer Strider, Patrick Sandoval?
The Atlanta Braves host the Los Angeles Angels for the second game in their series tonight. Will the bats get to Spencer Strider and Patrick Sandoval? Baseball betting expert Krabs breaks down the game.
Krabs - August 1, 2023, 4:03 PM EDT
5 minAtlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction: Will the Bats Get to Spencer Strider, Patrick Sandoval?
I’ve been betting on baseball for years, and I’ve never seen a starting pitcher’s strikeout prop as high as Spencer Strider’s is against the Los Angeles Angels tonight. He’s sitting at 9.5 with the over-catching heavy juice. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing o/u 10.5 strikeouts for the Atlanta Braves young ace at some point today, with the over as high as (-150) on some books.
What if I told you that Spencer Strider can hit his strikeout prop, and still not dominate this game? Would you think I was crazy? Let’s dive into it…
Braves vs. Angels Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: August 1, 2023
- Time: 7:20 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction
It’s clear that Spencer Strider has switched up his approach on the mound over the last month or so. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Braves are trying to extend Strider’s starts, telling him to fill the zone more often. He’s thrown more strikes over his last few starts than he did towards the beginning of the season when his strikeout numbers were down, and walks were up. In order for Strider to pitch more than five innings, he needs to fill the strike zone more often, which has caused an uptick in both strikeouts and hits allowed.
Strider’s bread and butter is the fastball, and although he has one of the best ones in the entire league, even the worst hitters can barrel up a fastball every so often. The 24 year old flamethrower has limited his walks over the last two months, but it has cost him more hits and runs allowed.
To be fair, this has also increased his strikeout rate immensely, leading to him throwing at least nine strikeouts in seven straight starts. Don’t be surprised if he eclipses double-digit strikeouts for his fifth consecutive start tonight, although it will come at a price: Strider will also give up more runs than the public expects tonight, too.
To me, this total looks looks high at first glance, especially considering Patrick Sandoval pitched extremely well in July. The young lefty only allowed four runs in the entire month. It really hasn’t mattered which pitcher the Braves are facing; this team rakes, especially at home. They are top-five in nearly every single important offensive statistical category, with no intentions of slowing down. Atlanta has one of the best, most consistent lineups in all of baseball. Whether Sandoval has been dialed in recently or not, he’s going to give up at least a few runs… just like every pitcher who faces this team.
The Braves are too significant of a favorite to bet on tonight. Instead of laying the juice and backing one of the best offenses in baseball in their home ballpark, just take the over. This total is high for a reason, and Strider hasn’t been as “unhitable” in recent starts. Fade both these pitchers, and back two of the hottest offenses in baseball in an extremely-friendly hitter’s ballpark.
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Angels Pick
LAA/ATL o9 -115 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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