Braves vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 15, 2023

April 15, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Atlanta Braves (10-4) roll into Saturday’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals (4-10) looking to extend a four-game winning streak. The contest starts at 4:10 PM ET on BSKC with the Braves listed as -139 favorites on the moneyline.

Atlanta’s Bryce Elder gets the start, and he’ll go against Kansas City’s Kris Bubic.

Braves vs. Royals Odds

Braves odds to win: -139
Royals odds to win: +119
Spread: Braves -1.5
Total: 8.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Saturday, April 15, 2023
Time: 4:10 PM ET
TV: BSKC

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Who Will Win Braves vs. Royals?

Braves and Royals Betting Trends

The Braves have an 8-4 record in games they were favored on the moneyline (winning 66.7% of those games).

Atlanta has gone 6-2 (winning 75% of its games) when it has played as moneyline favorites of -139 or shorter.

This season, the Royals have been the underdog 14 times and won four, or 28.6%, of those games.

Kansas City has a record of 3-9, a 25% win rate, when it’s set as an underdog of +119 or more by sportsbooks this season.

The Braves have had an over/under set by bookmakers 14 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in eight of those games (8-6-0).

The Royals and their opponents have hit the over in eight of their 14 games with a total this season.

Braves Stats & Insights

The Braves have the No. 6 offense in baseball scoring 5.2 runs per game (73 total runs).

Atlanta ranks fifth-best in baseball with 21 total home runs.

The Braves rank sixth in the majors with a .272 batting average.

Atlanta’s hitters strike out 9.7 times per game, the 28th-most in MLB.

The 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings put together by the Braves pitching staff ranks 16th in MLB.

Atlanta’s 3.79 team ERA ranks seventh among all MLB pitching staffs.

Royals Stats & Insights

The Royals are among the lowest scoring teams in the league, ranking 28th with just 47 total runs (3.4 per game) this season.

Kansas City has hit 12 homers this season, which ranks 25th in the majors.

The Royals have a team batting average of just .205 this season, which ranks 29th among MLB teams.

Kansas City ranks 26th in strikeouts per game (9.5) among MLB offenses.

The Royals strike out 9.0 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, 13th in MLB.

Kansas City pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.71 ERA this year, which ranks 18th in MLB.

Braves Key Players to Watch

Elder (1-0) starts for the Braves, his third of the season.

Ronald Acuna Jr. leads Atlanta with a .390 batting average. He’s also hit three homers and has 11 RBI.

Matt Olson leads Atlanta in home runs (five) and runs batted in (14) this season while batting .304.

Austin Riley is slashing .327/.429/.538 this season for the Braves.

Sean Murphy has collected nine hits this season and has an OBP of .426. He’s slugging .556 on the year.

Royals Key Players to Watch

Bubic will take to the mound for the Royals, his third start of the season.

Vinnie Pasquantino has put up a team-best batting average of .273, and paces the Royals in home runs (two).

Bobby Witt Jr.’s two home runs and six RBI both pace his team.

Salvador Perez paces the Royals with two home runs and six runs batted in.

Edward Olivares is hitting .265 with a double, a triple, a home run and three walks.

Braves and Royals Injuries

Braves: Orlando Arcia: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Michael Harris II: 10 Day IL (Back), Collin McHugh: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Max Fried: 15 Day IL (Left hamstring), Raisel Iglesias: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Huascar Ynoa: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kolby Allard: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Tyler Matzek: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Travis d’Arnaud: 7 Day IL (Concussion)

Royals: Drew Waters: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Daniel Lynch: 15 Day IL (Shoulder), Jake Brentz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Angel Zerpa: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Diego Hernandez: 60 Day IL (Shoulder)