Braves vs Astros MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (4/17): Can Houston Stop the Bleeding?

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Wednesday, April 17's MLB schedule sees the Atlanta Braves (11-5) and Houston Astros (6-13) colliding for the third and final outing of their three-game series at 2:10 p.m. ET.

See ya tomorrow afternoon, #BravesCountry ✌🏼 pic.twitter.com/bnCAYudniU

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 17, 2024

The Braves are looking to sweep the series after notching a 6-2 victory over the Astros on Tuesday night. Orlando Garcia led the offensive charge for Atlanta with two hits, a homer, and a pair of RBIs while Reynaldo Lopez struck out seven batters across six scoreless innings for his second win of the year.

Will Atlanta complete the sweep on the road? Or will Houston find a way to steal back a win?

Let's dive into my Braves vs. Astros MLB predictions and best bets to discuss who I have winning this afternoon.

2024 MLB Betting Picks Record: 9-7-0

Braves vs Astros MLB Betting Today (4/17)

Braves vs Astros Game Information

• Matchup: Atlanta Braves (11-5, 7-3 Away) vs. Houston Astros (6-13, 4-8 Home)
• Venue & Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
• Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
• Game Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Braves vs. Astros: ESPN+, Bally Sports

Braves vs Astros MLB Probable Pitchers

• Braves: Max Fried (3 starts — 1-0, 8.74 ERA)
• Astros: J.P. France (3 starts— 0-2, 8.22 ERA)

Astros vs Braves MLB Odds & Spread

Astros vs. Braves MLB odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Wednesday, April 17 at 9:56 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Braves vs Astros Run Line

• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+110)
• Houston Astros +1.5 (-130)

Astros vs Braves Over/Under

• Over 9.5 Runs (+105)
• Under 9.5 Runs (-125)

Braves vs Astros Moneyline

• Atlanta Braves (-139)
• Houston Astros (+128)

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Braves vs Astros MLB Betting Trends

• Atlanta is 5-2 straight up in its last seven road games.
• Houston is 2-6 straight up in its last eight games.
• The total hit the Under in six of Atlanta's last seven games vs. the AL West.
• The total hit the Under in four of Houston's last five games vs. the National League.
• The total hit the Under in five of the last six Atlanta-Houston matchups at Minute Maid Park.

Braves vs Astros Prediction & MLB Picks Today (4/17): Can Atlanta Finish the Sweep?

If the Astros want to end this series with a victory, they must figure out how to stop the Braves offense. After all, Atlanta has outscored Houston 12-3 through the first two games while nearly doubling the latter's hit total (22-14).

It doesn't help that the Astros are struggling to get off to strong starts. Houston was held scoreless in the second inning and beyond in Game 1 before failing to get on the board until the ninth last night. That just isn't going to cut it against the Braves, who lead the Majors with 6.44 runs per game, which actually jumps up to 6.6 on the road (3rd).

Seven Braves players have tallied multiple hits this series, including Austin Riley, who paces the team with four. Orlando Arcia and Ronald Acuna Jr. aren't too far behind with three hits apiece while also combing for a trio of RBIs.

Ronald Acuna Jr. has played terrifically for the Braves this series. 

Meanwhile, some of the Astros' best players have been invisible. Kyle Tucker only has one hit through six at-bats while Yordan Alvarez is an abysmal 0-for-8 in the batter's box. Unless the duo manages to step up, it's going to be tough for Houston to beat any team.

The bright side for the Astros is that Braves starting pitcher Max Fried hasn't been playing well, pitching to an 8.74 ERA in three starts. Having said that, the former NL Cy Young finalist did look solid in his last start against the Miami Marlins, striking out four batters with one run allowed across 6 1/3 innings.

The Astros are hoping to get a bounce-back performance from right-handed starter J.P. France. The 29-year-old veteran was hammered by the Texas Rangers on April 12, surrendering eight runs on as many hits with four walks in only four innings of work.

All eyes are on Braves LHP Max Fried to see if he can continue returning to form. 

With the way the series has unfolded thus far, I'm taking the Braves to win. They've destroyed the Astros on the scoreboard and aren't showing signs of slowing down after another blowout win yesterday. As long as Fried can post another quality start, I'm confident that Brian Snitker's club can complete the sweep.

Let's also take the Braves to cover the 1.5-run line. Not only has Atlanta beaten Houston by four-plus runs in back-to-back outings, but the Braves are also 7-3 ATS on the road while the Astros are 4-8 ATS at home.

Considering how the Astros have a minus-3.3 average run margin through France's first three 2024 starts, there's a good chance that the Braves pick up another blowout win.

Braves vs Astros MLB Prediction: ATL wins

Best Braves vs Astros Bet: ATL -1.5 (+110)

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Best Braves vs Astros MLB Player Prop (4/17)

Let's take Ronald Acuna Jr. to record over 1.5 total bases (-141) for the best Braves vs. Astros player prop this afternoon.

Acuna's recent strong play has been key to his hitting this prop lately. The former NL MVP is batting .400 with eight hits across his last five games, resulting in 10 total bases. He finished all but one of those games with the Over and already has four TBs in this series. That's without mentioning how he has also finished with the Over in seven of his last 10 road games.

With the Astros doing nothing but bleeding hits this series, I expect another productive performance from Acuna.

Braves vs Astros MLB Prop Bet: Ronald Acuna Jr. o1.5 Total Bases (-141)

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