Atlanta Braves (89-73) vs. San Diego Padres (93-69)
The 2024 MLB Wild Card Game 1 ignites with an enthralling clash between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres on a crisp October evening at Petco Park. The Braves, coming off a robust regular season finish with 89 wins, are set to challenge the Padres, who secured 93 wins, showcasing a slightly stronger season. This matchup promises excitement and serves as a key battleground for MLB free betting picks, with implications that will resonate throughout the playoffs.
The Atlanta Braves have been very creative and adaptive this year, and this year, they have a batting average of .243 with 211 home runs, which is an achieved effort towards being an offense tearing unit. With an admirable 3.48 ERA, the pitching staff has been a crucial component of their system, limiting opposing batters to a .236 average. On the contrary, their current form can be termed mildly encouraging as they have won 3 out of their last 5 outings, including two defeats.
At the same time, the San Diego Padres have not been left out with a batting average of .263 and a capable on-base average of .324, coming from 1456 hits and 760 runs batted in. The last three games have been good to them, with the Padres going 5-0 in that stretch and they have good opportunities going into this game. Their season has also seen them have hits of .420 slugging percentage with 190 homers, indicating they can score from big plays.
Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 8:38 PM ET |
| Where: | Petco Park |
| TV: | Fubo, ESPN |
| Stream: | MLB.TV |
Max Fried (11-10, 3.25 ERA) vs. Michael King (13-9, 2.95 ERA)
Atlanta’s Max Fried joins the battle with 11-10 on the record and a decent 3.25 ERA, which is proof that he can handle pressure well. His 1.16 WHIP and 166 strikeouts through 174-1/3 innings of pitching this season are those of a dependable pitcher whose class can turn a game on its head. Fried’s ability to manage the game, avoiding the long ball as evidenced by conceding only 13 this season, will be important for him as he faces a strong hitting Padres team.
On the other hand, for the Padres, Michael King provides a most persuasive story as well with a 13-9 record and an impressive 2.95 ERA. With 201 strike outs in 173.2 innings, King knows how to get his men out and how to avoid trouble. Due to having a little higher WHIP of 1.19 as compared to Fried and surrendering 17 home runs, vulnerability may work in favor of the Braves if those moments are seized. Each pitcher possesses different attributes for this fight creating an interesting battle for the two mounds.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: San Diego Padres -146, Total Odds: 7
The betting odds favor the Padres with a Moneyline of -146, reflecting confidence in their recent form and home advantage. The total over 7 runs at +100 suggests expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, which aligns with the offensive capabilities of both teams..
Atlanta Braves Betting Trends
The Braves have shown a penchant for exceeding expectations in crucial games, as evidenced by their 42-39 record against the spread in road games. With the totals going OVER in 3 of their last 5 games, there’s an emerging pattern of high-scoring encounters, possibly influenced by their solid slugging and on-base percentages. These trends suggest a resilience that could see them perform better than the betting lines suggest.
San Diego Padres Betting Trends
While the Padres boast a perfect record in their last 5 games, their overall record against the spread in road games this season paints a picture of inconsistency. However, their strong finish to the season and the absence of totals going OVER in their last 5 games indicate a tightening up of their defensive gameplay, which could be pivotal in a playoff atmosphere.
Atlanta Braves vs. San Diego Padres 10/1/24 Betting Picks
The matchup between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres is poised to be a nail-biter. Analyzing both teams’ recent form and head-to-head statistics, the Padres emerge with a slight edge, thanks to their impressive run at home and robust offensive stats. However, the Braves’ strong pitching could tip the scales, making them an attractive pick, especially with the +1.5 spread.
The Padres seem to be the safer bet for bettors, considering their momentum, but exploring prop bets on strikeouts and total runs could maximize returns. This game promises great opportunities for best online betting.
Free Pick and Prediction: San Diego Padres 5, Atlanta Braves 3
