The Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees have been two of the more disappointing teams for MLB bettors two-plus weeks into the season. Though the Braves just took two of three in Chicago after blasting the Cubs 13-4 in the Sunday nighter, the triumph only moved them to 7-9 overall. As for the Yankees, they currently bring up the rear of the AL East with an atrocious 5-10 overall record. That’s simply unacceptable when you take into account the payroll upper management dolls out every passing game. In all, these teams have cost upwards of $1100 for those that’ve backed them at online sportsbooks, and it might not get better anytime soon provided the injury bug continues to take huge chunks out of each respective roster. Ronald Acuna Jr. could be forced to miss this series due to an abdominal strain suffered early in Sunday night’s game, while Gary Sanchez could also miss due to a wrist injury. Be sure to check injury reports leading up to first pitch so as to know who will and won’t be partaking in the finale of this mini two-game set.
First pitch for the game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 6:35 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium. The matchup will air live on ESPN. Bet on MLB odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
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Odds Analysis
It’s been an extremely rough go of it for both of these squads heading into the third full week of play. Atlanta’s roster has been decimated by injuries within the starting rotation with Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Drew Smyly all currently on the IL. 2B Ozzie Albies has sat out recently due to a calf strain, and now the red hot Acuna might be held out of this series. It’s all added up to the Braves costing MLB bettors upwards of $280 overall with around $100 of that deficit coming on the road where it’s won four of nine played games. The Yankees offense is simply ice cold right now. It shockingly owns the No. 25 ranked scoring offense that averages a tick over 3.6 runs per game, and its .642 OPS ranks out dead last in MLB. DJ LeMahieu’s .286 batting average is tops on the team for crying out loud, while Gleyber Torres can’t even hit above the Mendoza Line! It’s amounted to around $750 in losses for those that backed the so-called “Bronx Bombers” in their 15 played games. New York will enter Tuesday’s series opener winners in just three of its nine played home games -$461, and just got swept by the division rival Rays.
Probable Pitchers
Ian Anderson: As a unit, the Braves starting rotation clocks in at No. 26 in the quality start department. While injuries have played a key role in that gross output, so too has Anderson’s inability to go deep into games. He’s averaged just over five innings through three starts, and it’s largely because of a bloated 4.17 BB/9 and the fact that he’s allowing teams to bat .308 with runners on base. While the 19 Ks have balanced things out to allow for his 4.70 ERA to not get too out of control, it’ll only be a matter of time until that output skyrockets if he continues to willfully dish out free passes. New York’s only averaging 4.1 runs against right-handed pitching, but it could drastically improve that output in this one should Anderson continue being wild.
Corey Kluber: Through two starts, the veteran right-hander has allowed 10 hits 1 HR and 4 ER through just 6.1 combined innings. On top of that, he’s only tallied eight strikeouts and issued five free passes. The days of Corey Kluber dominating opposing lineups looks to be all but over. Having said that, he’s never been known as one to get out to hot starts in the month of April. It takes the “KluBot” time to get ramped up. Still, his fastballs were clocked in the low 90s and his breakers only registered 24 percent CSW called strikes/whiffs. Even so, he might get the benefit of running up against a Braves offense that’s been much more lethal against left-handed pitching 6.5 runs per game than right-handed 4.1 runs per game in the early going.
Braves vs. Yankees Prediction
The Yankees have been one of the better teams in the league at taking free passes No. 8. However, so too have the Braves who’ve taken 61 walks in 523 total at-bats No. 5. Should both Anderson and Kluber continue to have issues clogging up the base paths due to being unable to throw strikes, we just might have a shootout on our hands in the series finale. If both offenses have their studs healthy and in the lineup, I’d be all in on targeting the full game and first five over as well as each respective team total in this matchup. If they’re not, all bets are off! As already stated, make it a point to hit the injury reports leading up to first pitch. If everyone’s lined up to play, look for runs to be scored. If not, avoid the matchup entirely.
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