Henry Roldán
Get ready for a home run showdown as the highly anticipated MLB series between Padres vs Braves continues this weekend. The first two battles did not disappoint, and this Saturday one will take the lead in a game that is expected to be impressive.
On Friday night, San Diego evened the series by putting on an early offensive display against Atlanta’s pitching to finish on top, 5-4. Without further ado, at JefeBet we bring you the preview of the third matchup between the San Diego Padres vs Atlanta Braves.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Padres vs Braves MLB Regular Season Game on April 8, 2023
- Where: Truist Park – Atlanta, Georgia
- When: Saturday, April 8, 2023, 7:20 PM ET
Betting on the San Diego Padres
- Regular Season Record: 4-4.
On Friday, the Padres did exactly what they had to do to come out on top: attack the rookie Jared Shuster early on, who had a lot of trouble dominating a weaker offense like the Nationals in his first outing.
One of the key players that helped in this mission was the experienced Nelson Cruz, called up to play mostly against left-handed pitchers, and who responded after finishing the game 5-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Up on the scoreboard by 3-0, starter Nick Martinez could not hold on to the lead and ended up working only 4.2 innings, giving up four earned runs with five walks conceded.
San Diego’s starting pitching failed once again, but their offense did not lose its drive. In the sixth inning, Xander Bogaerts, the hottest hitter on the team, stepped up to drive in the fifth run, giving them the definitive lead.
After Martinez’s exit, the bullpen, which has been inconsistent in these early games, came into action and finally managed to hold onto the lead their team gave them. The three arms selected by Bob Melvin pitched 4.1 shotout episodes while backing up an offense that has scored at least five runs in four games.
To jump ahead in the series this Saturday, the Padres will send the experienced Michael Wacha to the mound, who allowed four runs in six innings in his first start against the Rockies and has been hit hard by Atlanta throughout his career. In eight appearances, including six as a starter, the right-hander has a record of 0-4 with an ERA of 5.23 in 32.2 innings.
Starting pitcher: Michael Wacha (1-0, 6.00 ERA).
Betting on the Atlanta Braves
- Regular Season Record: 6-2.
The Braves fell short for the second game in a row against the Padres’ pitching, losing for the first time in front of their home crowd.
Despite their best efforts, the rookie Jared Shuster struggled on the mound, allowing four runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. It remains to be seen if manager Brian Snitker will keep him in the rotation or not.
After the Padres scored three runs in the first two innings, the Braves’ offense rallied in the third, scoring three runs, including Marcell Ozuna’s second home run of the year. They repeated their comeback in the fifth inning to tie the game 4-4.
However, this time around, San Diego’s bullpen finally stepped up to the plate and shut down Atlanta’s offense, which had been performing incredibly in 2023. The home team’s bullpen also did a good job, but unfortunately, they didn’t receive any support from the attack, unlike in previous games.
Taking the mound for the Braves this Saturday is right-hander Charlie Morton, who already pitched against the Cardinals this year, allowing three runs and nine hits in 5.1 innings. Nonetheless, Morton’s performance could improve, especially considering his impressive track record against San Diego.
In 11 starts against the Padres, Morton boasts a record of 6-2 and an outstanding ERA of 2.55, having given up only two homers in 67.0 innings pitched.
Starting pitcher: Charlie Morton (1-0, 5.06 ERA).
JefeBet Prediction
Friday’s Over was missed by half a run, but that doesn’t mean the hits won’t still be coming in Atlanta this Saturday.
These two teams have two of the best offenses in Major League Baseball, and the starting pitchers did not look very solid in their first outings.
Wacha has historically been hit hard by the Braves, while Morton, who has dominated the Padres throughout his career, gave up nine hits to the Cardinals last week.
Moreover, in five of the last six clashes both teams played in Atlanta, the scoreboard ended up fulfilling the Over.
Prediction: Over (SD 5 – ATL 6).
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