The 2021 National League Division Series action kicks off on Friday with Game 1 between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. Each team was the champion of their respective division and will now look to earn a shot at one of the two best teams in baseball. From talented lineups to dominant pitching, this series has a little bit of everything. It very well could take a full five games to decide who advances to the NLCS. The MLB betting odds are in favor of the home team for today’s Braves vs Brewers Game 1 showdown.
This MLB betting preview for Braves vs Brewers NLDS Game 1 includes game info, projected starting pitchers, betting odds, trends and a prediction for this series-opening matchup.
Atlanta Braves vs Milwaukee Brewers Betting Preview and Prediction | MLB Playoffs Game 1
NLDS Game 1
Atlanta Braves (88-73, 46-35 Away) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (95-67, 45-36 Home)
Date: Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m. EST
Venue: American Family Field — Milwaukee, WI
Coverage: TBS
Braves vs Brewers Starting Pitchers
Braves: Charlie Morton (14-6, 3.34 ERA)
Brewers: Corbin Burnes (11-5, 2.43 ERA)
Atlanta Braves Preview
The Braves certainly faced their fair share of adversity on the road to winning the NL East Division. The team started off very slow, with several pitching injuries hindering their success. Then, just as the rotation and bullpen were rounding into form midseason, Atlanta lost superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. for the year to a torn ACL. Nonetheless, Brian Snitker’s squad soldiered on. Reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman shook off a rough start to turn in MVP-caliber numbers again this season. Austin Riley also enjoyed a breakout year. Despite the Acuna injury, the Braves were still active at the trade deadline, acquiring sluggers Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler to bolster the lineup.
One of the mainstays in a Braves rotation that had several moving parts this season was veteran Charlie Morton. Atlanta actually dropped six of the first eight games he started after signing as a free agent in the offseason. The veteran right-hander settled in nicely after that and went on to win 14 games on the year. Morton certainly got plenty of postseason experience last season as a member of the AL Pennant-winning Tampa Bay Rays. He’ll look to shut down a Brewers team that he has faced just once this season in Friday’s MLB betting matchup. Morton allowed just three hits and two runs to Milwaukee over six innings back in that August start. He was a hard-luck loser in a game that had a 2-1 final score.
Milwaukee Brewers Preview
The Brewers wound up running away with the NL Central Division title this season thanks to arguably the best pitching staff in all of baseball. Considering the stable of arms they have at their disposal, it’s no surprise to see Milwaukee tabbed as the MLB betting favorites ahead of this NLDS series. Ace Corbin Burnes will start things off for the Brewers on the mound in Friday’s Game 1. His numbers on the season include 234 total strikeouts, a 2.43 ERA and a 0.940 WHIP. Burnes remained involved in a tight NL Cy Young Award all season long. That being said, the righthander did get roughed up by the Braves back in his lone appearance against them this season. Burnes surrendered nine hits and five runs while lasting just four innings.
Of course, the Brewers also have an electric bullpen lined up behind their top-notch rotation. Milwaukee’s pen did suffer a blow right before the postseason as setup man Devin Williams was lost for the rest of the year to a broken hand. If the Brewers have a lead going into the later innings, manager Craig Counsell has closer Josh Hader at his disposal. Hader is almost automatic when it comes to shutting the door on opponents. Former MVP Christian Yelich headlines a Brewers lineup that also includes Kolten Wong, Willy Adames and Lorenzo Cain.
Braves vs Brewers MLB Betting Odds
MLB betting odds for Braves vs Brewers are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: ATL: (+135) | MIL: (-160)
Run Line: ATL: +1.5 (-160) | MIL: -1.5 (+135)
Total: 7 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via Action Network: ATL: (51%) | MIL: (49%)
Braves vs Brewers MLB Betting Trends
- Braves are 7-1 SU in their last eight road games.
- The total has gone under in five of the Braves’ last seven games.
- Five of the Brewers’ last seven games have gone over the total.
- Brewers are just 1-5 SU in their last six games.
- 14 of the Brewers’ last 20 games played in October have gone under the total.
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Braves vs Brewers Stats
- Atlanta is averaging 4.91 runs per game (RPG) this season (No. 7 in the MLB).
- Atlanta is surrendering 4.07 RPG this season (No. 7 in the MLB).
- Milwaukee is averaging 4.56 RPG this season (No. 12 in the MLB).
- Milwaukee is surrendering 3.85 RPG this season (No. 3 in the MLB).
Braves vs Brewers Weather Report
Note: This game will be played indoors.
Braves vs Brewers Prediction
The Braves vs Brewers MLB betting prediction uses NumberFire’s probability model. They give Milwaukee a 54.8% chance to win Game 1 of this NLDS matchup.
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