:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71262343/usa_today_18888494.0.jpg "Astros vs. Braves prediction: Picks, odds, live stream, TV channel on Friday, August 19")
The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves square off on Friday with first pitch set for 7:20 p.m. ET. The game takes place at Truist Park in Smyrna, GA, and will only be available on local TV or through an MLB.tv subscription. Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will take the hill for the Astros while Kyle Wright (14-5, 3.14 ERA) will get the start for the Braves.
Houston (77-43) has the best record in the American League heading into this weekend series and is fresh off demolishing the White Sox in a 21-5 rout yesterday. The Astros as a team recorded 25 hits in the onslaught as eight batters in their lineup drove in at least one run. Alex Bregman was 4-6 with two home runs and six RBI while Chas McCormick was 3-6 with a homer and five RBI.
Atlanta (73-47) came up big this week by taking 3-of-4 off the Mets to move to within 3.5 games of the lead in the NL East. The defending World Series champs are on a roll having won nine of their last 10 and have established a cushion for themselves at the top of the Wild Card standings. Their ace Wright steps on the mound tonight and he's been money, recording a win in five of his last six starts.
Astros vs. Braves
Pitchers: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Kyle Wright
First pitch: 7:20 p.m. ET
Astros local broadcast: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
Braves local broadcast: Bally Sports Southeast
Live stream: MLB.tv (subscription)
Odds, picks & predictions
Run Line: Braves -1.5 (+155), Astros +1.5 (-180)
Run total: O8 (-115), U8 (-105)
Moneyline odds: Braves -130, Astros +110
Moneyline pick: Braves -130
This matchup is a coin flip as its two of the hottest teams in baseball going at it. We'll give the edge to the Braves on the moneyline simply because they have the pitching advantage with a Cy Young candidate like Wright on the mound this evening.
Player prop pick: Alex Bregman under 0.5 hits (+170)
Bregman had a ridiculous afternoon against the White Sox yesterday but that came after he went 0-4 at the plate the night prior. We'll predict Wright and the Braves' pitching staff cools him off and holds him to a hitless outing this evening.