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Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks predictions, picks and best bets


The Atlanta Braves (19-20) and Arizona Diamondbacks (22-17) head into Game 3 of their four-game set Saturday after splitting the first two meetings. First pitch at Chase Field will be served at 8:10 p.m. Eastern.

Odds courtesy of Bet365; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at Paste BN Sports.

Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks: Projected Starting Pitchers

RHP Kevin Gausman vs. RHP Merrill Kelly

Gausman was ejected just 1 2/3 innings into his second-to-last start. He then gave up five runs - three earned - over 4 1/3 in his most recent outing. His ERA is up to 5.00 through seven starts but just 36 innings, as he's allowing 3.75 walks per nine but with a sparkling 10 strikeouts.

Kelly's sitting at a 4.85 ERA seven starts and 39 innings into his rookie campaign. The 30-year-old had previously been sailing along before being roughed up by the Tampa Bay Rays for seven runs over four innings his last time out.

Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks: By the Numbers

  • Friday's game was the first of five meetings between the two won by the Braves. The last four games in the head-to-head series have played to the UNDER. Just two of five games were decided by two or more runs.

  • The Braves have been the better team against right-handed pitching this year with a collective team OPS of .755 to Arizona's .734 group mark.
  • The once famously hitter-friendly Chase Field ranks 25th this year in run factor and 20th in home runs.
  • Both bullpens rank in the bottom 12 of the league in ERA.

Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks: Key Injuries

Diamondbacks 1B Jake Lamb is expected to miss a couple more weeks due to a quad strain.

</div> <h1 class="presto-h1">Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks: Picks and Betting Tips</h1> <p> <strong>Moneyline:</strong> Kelly and the <strong>Diamondbacks</strong> are <strong>+100</strong> underdogs on home field despite having the upper hand on Atlanta all season. The rookie should be expected to bounce back from his worst start and return to his prior form, while Gausman's high pitch counts mean the Braves could have to turn to their suspect bullpen too early.</p> <p> <strong>Against the spread:</strong> Arizona to cover <strong>+1.5</strong> at a lower <strong>-155</strong> is a much safer, but less rewarding play.</p> <p> <strong>Over/under:</strong> Take another <strong>UNDER (-110)</strong> on <strong>9</strong> runs in what's been the strongest trend of the head-to-head series this season.</p> <p> <em>Follow Esten on Twitter <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/EstenMcLaren">@EstenMcLaren</a> </em> </p> <p><strong>MORE:</strong></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/burmese-python-discovered-in-surprising-place/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Burmese python discovered in surprising place</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-fighter-makes-opponent-flinch-by-screaming-in-his-face-during-staredown/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">UFC fighter makes opponent flinch by screaming in his face during staredown</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/rangers-mike-minor-200th-strike-out-after-not-catching-foul-ball-on-purpose/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Rangers ripped for not catching easy foul ball so pitcher could reach milestone</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/packers-eagles-goal-line-passes/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">Packers' puzzling goal-line decisions end in disaster</a></p> <p><a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/watch-avonte-maddox-provides-an-update-on-his-status-after-returning-to-philly/?utm_source=USATAPP&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=inline-related">WATCH: Avonte Maddox provides an update on his status after returning to Philly</a></p></body></html>