MLB Predictions: Braves vs. Padres Odds and Picks for Game 2

Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres
Date: Wednesday, October 2nd, 8:38 ET
Location: PETCO Park
TV: ESPN2
Money Line: Braves +104/Padres -123
Total Line: 6.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the San Diego Padres and the Braves on Wednesday, October 2nd at PETCO Park. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

The money line odds for Wednesday’s Braves vs. Padres matchup have the Padres favored at -123 compared to the Braves at +104. This game has an over/under line of 6.5 runs, and it will be televised on ESPN2 starting at 8:38 PM ET. From PETCO Park in San Diego, the Braves are 3rd in the NL East, while the Padres are 2nd in the NL West.

Max Fried will start for the Braves, while the Padres are sending Joe Musgrove to the mound. Atlanta is 89-73 overall, while the Padres have the better record of 93-69.

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Braves vs. Padres Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Atlanta Braves: 89-73 SU / OU 59-98 / Runline 77-86
San Diego Padres: 93-69 SU / OU 82-77 / Runline 85-78

San Diego cruised to a 4-0 win over the Braves in the most recent game of this series. The Padres had a two-run 1st inning and added their final two runs in the 8th. Heading into the game, the Padres were favored at -196 on the money line.

Michael King started for the Padres and picked up the win, going seven innings and not giving up a run. He finished the game with 12 strikeouts but didn’t issue a walk. AJ Smith-Shawver only went 1 1/3 innings for the Braves, giving up three runs on four hits.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Kyle Higashioka each homered for the Padres. Tatis, Higashioka, and Jake Cronenworth each had two RBIs. On the other side, Michael Harris II had two hits for the Braves.

Braves Records & Recent Play

Facing a must-win situation in game three, the Braves are looking to even their series against the Padres, who lead 1-0. Atlanta is on the road, where they posted a 43-38 record during the regular season, compared to 46-35 at home. As underdogs, the Braves went 13-19 this year.

Atlanta’s run line record stands at 77-86, with a +1.1 run-scoring margin on the road and 0.0 at home. They’ve dropped three straight against the run line as favorites. The under has hit in their last two games, and their overall O/U record is 59-98. Today’s 6.5-run line is the lowest for a Braves game this season, with their average O/U line at eight runs.

Padres Records & Recent Play

As the Padres prepare for game two against the Braves, they hold a 1-0 lead in the series and are looking to close it out at home. San Diego finished the regular season with a 93-69 record, going 45-36 at home and 48-33 on the road. As home favorites, they posted a 39-28 record this year.

San Diego’s run line record for the season is 85-78, with a 34-48 mark at home. They’ve covered the run line in three straight home games. The Padres have an over/under record of 82-77, and today’s 6.5-run line is the lowest for any of their games this season, compared to their average of 8.8 runs.

Pitching Matchup

Max Fried will be looking to build off his last outing, where he nearly went the distance. Against the Royals on September 27th, Fried pitched 8 2/3 innings, picking up the win and not allowing a run. He finished the outing with nine strikeouts, three hits, and two walks. Fried has made 29 starts this year and has a record of 11-10. His ERA is 3.25, along with a WHIP of 1.16. For the season, he has two complete games and one shutout. In total, Fried has 16 quality starts and is averaging 8.57 strikeouts per nine innings.

Padres starter Joe Musgrove finished with a no-decision in each of his last two outings. Most recently, he faced the Dodgers and gave up two earned runs in 6 1/3 innings of work. Before that, he had a scoreless outing against the White Sox, going six innings and giving up four hits. Musgrove has made 19 starts this year and has a record of 6-5 with a 3.88 ERA. Opponents are batting .246 off the right-hander this season. Musgrove has turned in 10 quality starts and is averaging 9.12 strikeouts per nine innings.

Braves vs. Padres Offense Outlook

Marcell Ozuna has been a strong run producer for the Braves this season, as his 104 RBIs are 8th in the league and lead the team. He also has a team-high 39 homers while batting .302. However, Ozuna has struggled of late, going just 3/25 in his last seven games. Matt Olson is also near the top of the league in homers, as he is 2nd on the team with 29 homers and comes into the game batting .247.

As a team, the Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game and are 4th in the league in home runs. They have been a better offensive team on the road this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game. Currently, Matt Olson is on a five-game hitting streak, and Ozzie Albies has a three-game streak going.

For the season, the Padres are the league’s top hitting team, with a team batting average of .263. They are also near the top of the league in home runs and have the best slugging percentage in the MLB. San Diego also comes into the game as the league’s top team in terms of the fewest strikeouts per game. Overall, they are averaging 4.7 runs per game, which is 8th in the league.

Over his last eight games, Fernando Tatis Jr. has gone deep three times, but he is just 7/31 in that stretch. For the season, he is batting .279 with a team-high 29 homers. Manny Machado and Jurickson Profar are also near the top of the league in RBIs, with Machado’s 105 RBIs leading the Padres and ranking 7th in the MLB.

Free Braves vs. Padres MLB Pick

The Braves are on the verge of elimination but have Max Fried on the mound tonight. Fried has given up just one earned run over his past two outings and picked up wins in each of those two outings. However, Joe Musgrove has been just as good of late, giving up just two earned runs over his last three outings. Although the Braves might be running on fumes after their double-header on Monday and having to head to San Diego right after that, I do see the Braves picking up a win tonight. My pick is Atlanta on the money line.

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