The Atlanta Braves (9-5) take on the Houston Astros (6-11) Monday in the opener of a 3-game set at Minute Maid Park at 8:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Braves vs. Astros odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Astros won 3-0 last year
The Braves took 2 of 3 from the flailing Miami Marlins over the weekend, capping it off with a 9-7 win Sunday. DH Marcell Ozuna continues to crush the ball, hitting .373 (5th in MLB), with 7 HR (1st) and 21 RBI (1st). This is a team that is going to have to rely on its tied-for-MLB-best 6.5 R/game after losing stud RHP Spencer Strider (elbow) for the season.
The Astros have stumbled out of the gates, but they took 2 of 3 from the World Series champion Texas Rangers over the weekend. They won 8-5 Sunday and scored 8+ runs in all 3 games. 2B Jose Altuve leads the way with a .382 BA, 5 HR, 7 RBI and 14 R on the young season.