Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Picks, Predictions, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

2 minute read

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Analysis

The Astros will visit the Braves at Truist Park for the second of a three-game set on Saturday, August 20, 2022.

The Astros are 77-44 overall and 38-26 on the road, which ranks first in the American League West standings, leading the second-placed Mariners by 10.5 games. The Braves are in second place in the NL East with a 74-47 overall record, which has been aided by a robust 41-23 mark at home.

Updated on 01/15/2025

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Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Prediction

The Braves send RHP Spencer Strider to the hill against Houston’s eighth-ranked scoring offense on Saturday night (4.60 RSPG), who’s having a magnificent rookie campaign sitting 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 25 appearances this season (1.04 WHIP), which includes a 6-3 record and 3.33 ERA across 14 starts (1.04 WHIP); and a 1-1 record and 2.22 ERA across 11 bullpen outings (1.03 WHIP).

On the flip side, the Astros send RHP Cristian Javier to the mound against Atlanta’s third-ranked scoring offense tonight (4.88 RSPG), who’s also having an excellent campaign, highlighted by his 2.96 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 22 appearances this season (18 GS), despite owning a losing record of 7-8 on the year.

I’ll take the under here, as Strider has tossed five innings or more and allowed one run or less in seven of his last nine starts for the Braves (2.68 ERA, 0.96 WHIP); setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against the Astros and Javier, who’s 1-3 with a 2.25 ERA across his last five outings (0.96 WHIP).

Score Prediction: Braves 3, Astros 2
Best Bet: Under 7.5 (-115)

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Odds

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Resources

• Date: Saturday, August 20, 2022
• Matchup: AL West vs. NL East
• Venue: Truist Park
• Location: Atlanta, GA
• Time-TV: 7:15 p.m. ET – FOX

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves – Current Form

The Braves have now won three straight series against the Mets, Marlins, and Red Sox, which includes victories in 10 of their last 11 games. The Astros split their previous series against the White Sox 2-2, which was capped off by a 21-run offensive explosion on August 18th. Prior to their series against the White Sox, Houston won back-to-back series against Oakland and Texas, tallying a solid 5-1 stretch.

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves – Pitching Matchup

Houston: Cristian Javier (7-8, 2.96 ERA)

Cristian Javier takes the mound his 19th start of the season for Houston in this contest. He comes in 7-8 with a 2.96 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, 39 walks and 138 strikeouts over 106.1 innings of work on the year. The 25-year-old right-hander posted a win over Oakland in his previous start on August 14th. During his winning performance, Javier tossed six shutout innings en route to an 6-3 Astros' victory. Javier owns a 2-4 road record this season in eight road starts, which includes a 3.80 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, 17 walks, and 61 strikeouts in 45 innings of work.

Atlanta: Spencer Strider (7-4, 3.04 ERA)

Spencer Strider is on the hill for the Braves in this contest making his 15th start of the season hoping to build some positive momentum. He comes in 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 35 walks and 142 strikeouts over 94.2 innings of work this season. Strider won his last start, which came at home against the Mets on August 15th. He threw five innings and allowed one run on three hits and four strikeouts. Pitching at home this season, Strider is 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, 16 walks and 79 strikeouts over 50.2 innings in seven starts.

Houston Astros vs. Atlanta Braves – Series History

The Astros swept Atlanta in a four-game regular-season set back in 2017. However, the Braves defeated Houston 4-2 in last year's World Series.

Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson