Braves vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 17, 2023

May 17, 2023, by Matt Rooney MLB Predictions

The Atlanta Braves (26-16) visit the Texas Rangers (26-16) Wednesday to close out a three-game series. The Braves are favored (-151) to win the rubber match, which starts at 8:05 PM ET from Globe Life Field.

Spencer Strider starts for Atlanta while Nathan Eovaldi is Texas’ starter for the contest.

Braves vs. Rangers Odds

Braves odds to win: -151
Rangers odds to win: +130
Spread: Braves -1.5
Total: 7.5 runs

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Game Time and Information

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Time: 8:05 PM ET
TV: BSSW

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Who Will Win Braves vs. Rangers?

Braves and Rangers Betting Trends

The Braves are 22-13 in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 62.9% of those games).

Atlanta has gone 14-6 (winning 70% of its games) when playing as moneyline favorites of -151 or shorter.

The Rangers have won 11, or 61.1%, of the 18 games they’ve played as underdogs this season.

This season, Texas has won five of its nine games, or 55.6%, when it’s the underdog by at least +130 on the moneyline.

The Braves have had an over/under set by oddsmakers 42 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 25 of those games (25-16-1).

The Rangers and their opponents have hit the over in 25 of their 42 games with a total this season.

Braves Stats & Insights

The Braves have the No. 5 offense in MLB play scoring 5.3 runs per game (222 total runs).

Atlanta averages 1.7 home runs per game to rank third in MLB play with 71 total home runs.

The Braves’ .258 batting average is 10th-best in MLB.

Atlanta strikes out 8.9 times per game, the No. 16 average in the majors.

The Braves pitching staff is fourth in the majors with a collective 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Atlanta has the fifth-ranked team ERA across all MLB pitching staffs (3.54).

Rangers Stats & Insights

The Rangers are among the highest scoring teams in the majors, ranking second with 261 total runs this season.

Texas has hit 55 homers this season, which ranks ninth in the majors.

The Rangers’ .266 batting average is among the best in baseball, ranking fourth in MLB.

Texas ranks 22nd in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 9.2 Ks per contest.

The Rangers strike out 8.6 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, 16th in MLB.

Texas has the seventh-best ERA (3.82) in the majors this season.

Braves Key Players to Watch

The Braves will send Strider (4-1) to the mound to make his ninth start of the season. He is 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched.

Ronald Acuna Jr. leads Atlanta with a batting average of .348. He’s also hit 10 home runs with 26 RBI.

Sean Murphy is a key run producer for Atlanta with a .268 average, 10 homers and 34 RBI.

Matt Olson’s 11 home runs lead all Atlanta hitters, and he’s slugging .503.

Ozzie Albies has 44 hits and an OBP of .305 to go with a slugging percentage of .512 this season.

Rangers Key Players to Watch

The Rangers will send Eovaldi (5-2) to the mound for his ninth start this season.

Marcus Semien is batting .296 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 23 walks.

Adolis Garcia’s 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in are both team-highs.

Nate Lowe has 13 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 20 walks while hitting .265.

Jonah Heim is batting .311 to lead his team.

Braves and Rangers Injuries

Braves: Ehire Adrianza: 10 Day IL (Elbow), Max Fried: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Lucas Luetge: 15 Day IL (Biceps), Kyle Wright: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Huascar Ynoa: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Kolby Allard: 60 Day IL (Oblique), Tyler Matzek: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Rangers: Mitch Garver: 10 Day IL (Knee), Travis Jankowski: 10 Day IL (Hamstring), Jacob deGrom: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Spencer Howard: 60 Day IL (Lat), Brett Martin: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Jake Odorizzi: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Glenn Otto: 60 Day IL (Lat)