Braves vs. Diamondbacks (May 30): Back Braves to bag series opener against Gallen, Diamondbacks

It has been an up and down start to the season for the Atlanta Braves, but things are starting to trend up as May comes to an end.

Tonight, they will look to edge closer to the .500 mark as they meet the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series in Phoenix.

After taking two of three at home against the Miami Marlins, Atlanta is 6-4 in their last ten games. The Braves are still 8.5 games behind the New York Mets in the NL East, but before they think about trying to make a charge in the division, they need to hit the .500 mark for the first time since April 16, when they were 5-5.

They will get there if they can end May by winning the first two games against Arizona, who will be aiming to bounce back from a four-game home sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.

Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Atlanta Braves (23-25, 9-11 road, 2nd in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (23-26, 12-15 home, 4th in the NL West)
• Venue & Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Date: Monday, May 30, 2022
• Time: 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Today’s Braves vs. Diamondbacks Game: Bally Sports South (Braves), Bally Sports Arizona (Diamondbacks), MLB Extra Innings (subscription package)

Braves vs. Diamondbacks Pitching Matchup

• Atlanta Braves: Spencer Strider (2022: 11 appearances – no starts, 1-1, 2.22 ERA)
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (2022: 8 starts, 3-0, 2.22 ERA)

Braves vs. Diamondbacks Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Atlanta Braves -118
• Arizona Diamondbacks +100

Over/Under

• OVER 8.5 (-110)
• UNDER 8.5 (-110)

Run Line

• Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+138)
• Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 (-166)

Trends Favor Low-Scoring Game in Series Opener

Entering tonight’s game, neither one of these teams is exactly lighting it up offensively. Atlanta is averaging just 4.13 runs per game, while Arizona is averaging 3.86 runs per game.

The Diamondbacks went into their four-game set with the Dodgers having scored 38 runs in their five previous games, but they managed only eight runs in their four losses against the NL West leaders.

The Braves, meanwhile, showed some encouraging signs last week by scoring 6+ runs in each of their four wins. But their losses are a reminder of their continued lack of consistency at the plate and how they are rarely successful when they can’t score at least four runs.

Atlanta has scored four or more runs 24 times this season and has won 17 of those games, while 24 games with three or fewer runs have produced just six wins.

The odds aren’t in their favor this evening, with regards to putting runs on the board. On the road, the Braves are averaging just 3.45 runs per game. Gallen allowed a season-high six runs in his last start against Kansas City, but he has yet to allow four or more runs in back-to-back home starts in his MLB career.

That said, Atlanta may not have to produce much to win. Arizona is averaging only 3.44 runs per game at home. And when the Diamondbacks have scored four or fewer runs, they have won just seven of 20 games.

Over/Under Trends for Braves vs. Diamondbacks

• The under is 13-4-1 when the Diamondbacks have been a home underdog.
• In Diamondbacks games following a loss, the under is 17-8-0.
• In Arizona’s home games, the under is 19-7-1.

Atlanta Braves vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction and Best Bets

Braves vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Braves to win

Braves vs. Diamondbacks Best Bets: Braves ML (-118 at BetOnline & BetUS) & UNDER 8.5 (-110 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetOnline)

There’s a lot of value in backing the stronger team at fairly short odds here, even with a guy who’s making his first career MLB start. Strider is making his first MLB start this evening, but the flamethrower has been highly impressive in relief duty.

The Braves are 10-9 with Ronald Acuna Jr. in the starting lineup, as opposed to 13-16 without. Acuna is starting tonight, and he has hit .341 in his last 13 games (15 hits in 44 at-bats) after hitting only .207 (6 for 29) in his first six games.

That is a positive sign for the Braves going forward, and him going hitless in yesterday’s win over the Marlins might be as well, as he followed up his previous two hitless outings with two-hit games. At BetOnline, you can back Acuna at +210 to get 2+ hits.

Other MLB Content on Betting News for Monday, May 30

• Rays vs. Rangers Prediction and Best Bets for 5/30