Braves vs. A’s Prediction
Will the Braves pull off another upset versus the A’s in Oakland today at 4:05PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the A’s are -140 money line favorites versus the Braves, who have odds of +126 to pull off the upset in Oakland. With R.A. Dickey set to face Jharel Cotton in the pitching matchup, the over/under currently sits at 9 runs.
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From Rotoworld: Dickey allowed just one run on five hits through seven innings to beat the Brewers 3-1 on Saturday. He gave up a run in the first inning but then cruised the rest of the way. He whiffed six batters and issued one free pass in the drama-free outing. The veteran knuckle-baller eats a lot of innings for the Braves but doesn’t offer a whole lot of fantasy value in mixed leagues. He improves to 6-5 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.39 WHIP through 15 starts. He has a paltry 58 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings.
Cotton (blister) is expected to start Saturday’s game against the Braves. Cotton exited stage left with a blister on his right thumb on Friday. While there was some hope that he might be able to start before the weekend, the A’s look like they will be giving him a few extra days to rest up. Daniel Gossett is the probable starter for Thursday’s game against the Astros, with Sonny Gray set to go against the Braves on Friday before Cotton’s presumed return to the rotation on Saturday.
Bet Today’s Braves vs. A’s Game
OUR PREDICTION: Dickey hasn’t been great this season but the Braves have won when he pitches. They’re 4-1 in his last five starts, are 4-1 in his last five outings versus an opponent with a losing record, and are 6-1 in his last seven starts when he pitches the second game of a series. Following their 3-1 win last night, Atlanta is also 5-0 in its last five games versus Oakland.
SATURDAY MLB PREDICTION: ATLANTA BRAVES +126