The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
We’ve come to the Game 5 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves, and there’s a ton to unpack here. With Atlanta ahead 3-1, this game could put the Braves over the top and give them their fourth title in franchise history. While it’s a hard one to call, I do have a play on this game and will waste no more time in getting into it now.
Houston Astros (-121) vs. Atlanta Braves (+100) Total: 8.5
The Astros are in a spot of bother here. Not only are they down 3-1, they’re forced to throw a pitcher who was just demolished in Game 1 of this series. They’re also licking their wounds in the bullpen. On top of all that, they need to play on the road in Atlanta.
No, I don’t think Houston will win this game. Valdez is not a good matchup against the Braves, which is why I had Atlanta back in Game 1. He’s a ground-ball pitcher, who allowed a 44.4% hard-hit rate this season but was able to get away with it because of all the gopher balls. Atlanta hit ground balls at the second-lowest clip in the league this year.
The Braves also improved against left-handed pitching significantly down the stretch. They added Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall, which gave them power against southpaws, then they returned Travis d’Arnaud from injury, who was one of their best hitters of lefties.
This is a red-hot offense, and one with better numbers in this series than their opponents. While Tucker Davidson will be the pitcher to lead Atlanta forward, he will have plenty of backup behind him.
Atlanta’s bullpen is decently rested here after Kyle Wright gave them so much length on Saturday, and can go to Huascar Ynoa, Drew Smyly and maybe even Max Fried here. I think this will be an all-hands approach for Atlanta and one which can benefit it.
[[ad:athena]]
On the other side, the Astros’ bullpen has thrown almost 70 innings now in the postseason, and is starting to crack. A unit which was so bad all year long can’t possibly keep this up, and it is already feeling progressive fatigue. Atlanta closes it out here.
Edge: Braves +100
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.
