Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres Prediction and Odds | NL Wild Card Game 1

The San Diego Padres (93-69 regular season) will host the Atlanta Braves (89-73 regular season) in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card on Tuesday night. The Padres enter as the fourth seed and first Wild Card team after failing to chase down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West division.

As for the Atlanta Braves, they snuck into the playoffs after splitting the Monday doubleheader with the New York Mets. The Braves lost Game 1 in that doubleheader but came back to beat the Mets 3-0 in Game 2 to secure the fifth seed in the postseason.

Can the Braves steal a game out West, or will the Padres defend their home field?

Photo byClayton MalquistonUnsplash

Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres Match Details

• Fixture: Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres
• Date and Time: Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET
• Location: Petco Field, San Diego, California

Key Stats

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves have yet to announce a starter for Game 1 of this Wild Card series, but Max Fried could be an option to take the mound. Fried had a record of 11-10 in the regular season and posted an ERA of 3.25. In road games this season, Fried had a record of 7-6 and an ERA of 3.26. In starts away from Atlanta, Fried allowed 36 earned runs in 99.1 innings. In one game against the Padres this season, Fried allowed three runs across 4.1 innings.

Despite having a ton of injuries, Marcel Ozuna had a tremendous year for the Braves. Ozuna led the team in batting average (.302), home runs (39), and RBIs (104). The Braves averaged 4.35 runs per game and allowed 3.75 runs per game.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are set to start Michael King to begin their postseason. King ended the regular season with a record of 13-9 and had an ERA of 2.95. He also struck out 201 batters, the 10th most in the league. King was better on the road this season but at home, he posted a record of 3.32 across 14 starts. In his home starts, King allowed 29 earned runs in 78.2 innings. King has not faced the Braves this season.

Several players stood out for the Padres this season including Luis Arraez, who led the team in batting average (.318). Manny Machado led the team in home runs (29) and RBIs (105). As a team, the Padres averaged 4.69 runs per game while allowing 4.13 runs per game.

Prediction

The Braves are in an understandably tough spot they have to fly across the country to face the Padres a day after playing in a doubleheader. Despite that, and even though no starter has been announced for the Braves at the time of writing, I like them to pull an upset in Game 1 of this series. Especially if Max Fried takes that mound as he nearly posted a complete game shutout in his most recent start.

Fried did struggle against the Padres in his only start against them this season, but Michael King, the Padres starter, did not face the Braves this season and could have trouble managing their lineup. It will likely be an uphill battle for the Braves, but I still like the Braves to get the job done as they have the depth needed to steal a game on the road.

Final Pick

Atlanta Braves ML (+130)

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Article originally written by Matthew Lowrimore