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Braves vs Orioles Odds, Picks, and Probable Pitchers (August 22)

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Aug 21, 2021 · 8:19 PM PDT

Atlanta Braves celebrate
Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies (1), Dansby Swanson (7), Guillermo Heredia, third from left, and others celebrate after a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
  • The Atlanta Braves are -155 away favorites over the Baltimore Orioles in an MLB inter-league afternoon game slated for Sunday, August 22
  • Baltimore has lost 17 games in a row
  • Atlanta has won eight games in a row overall and 12-straight on the road

Things have gone so far south for the Baltimore Orioles (38-84, 17-39 home) that even their traditional hoodoo over the Atlanta Braves (67-56, 36-27 away) no longer has any effect. Baltimore suffered its 17th consecutive loss on Sunday, a 5-4 defeat handed them by the Braves at Camden Yards.

Prior to this weekend’s home series with the Braves, the Orioles had won nine of the last 11 from Atlanta. They held an 8-1 advantage through the past nine games played in Baltimore.

Two games into this current three-game set, the Braves have won two in a row in Baltimore for the first time since 2004. They’re poised to sweep the Orioles for the first time since 2005.

Oddsmakers are believing in Atlanta’s ability to do so. The Braves are -155 favorites to win on Sunday. Baltimore is 14-33 as a home underdog this season.

Braves vs Orioles Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total
Atlanta Braves -155 -1.5 (-115) O 10 (-115)
Baltimore Orioles -235 +1.5 (-105) U 10 (-105)

Odds as of August 21st at DraftKings

Sunday’s first pitch is set for 1:05pm ET. Clouds are in the forecast, as are 3 mph wind and a temperature of 86 degrees.

Toussaint vs Means

Touki Toussaint
VS
John Means
2-2 Record 5-5
4.01 ERA 3.44
4.54 xERA 4.07
1.10 WHIP 1.01
3.18 SO/W Ratio 5.52

Even left-hander Means, among Baltimore more effective players this season, has gone south in this current skid. He’s allowed 10 earned runs over his past two starts, totaling 8.1 innings. That’s an ERA of 10.80. Means took the loss in both starts. He’s also served up five home runs over his past two trips to the mound.

Means opened the season 4-0 and has gone 1-5 since. He’s winless at home in his last five starts since April 25. In seven home starts this season, Means is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA. Means has surrendered multiple home runs in nine of his 18 starts in 2021.

This will be his first career appearance against Atlanta. Means is among the bottom 8% in MLB in maximum exit velocity (115.7). He’s in the top 3% in base on balls percentage (4.2%).

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Toussaint got the win in his last start against the Miami Marlins. He allowed three hits and two earned runs over 6.1 innings pitched. In six starts this season, the right-hander has allowed more than three earned runs just once and more than two earned runs twice.

He’s 0-1 with a 16.88 ERA in one career start against the Orioles. In 2.2 innings pitched against Baltimore, Toussaint was roughed up for seven hits and eight runs, five of them earned. He also walked three and surrendered a pair of home runs, while posting a WHIP of 3.75.

That was on September 14, 2020 during a 14-1 Braves loss at Camden Yards.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Orioles Batters Batting Average vs Toussaint Braves Batters Batting Average vs Means
Cedric Mullins 1.000 Guillermo Heredia .333
DJ Stewart .500 Jorge Soler .200
Ryan Mountcastle 1.000 N/A N/A

Braves centerfielder Gulliermo Heredia is 3-for-6 (.500) when facing Means. Right fielder Jorge Soler is just 1-for-5 (.200) against Means but that one hit was a solo homer.

Orioles DH/first baseman Ryan Mountcastle is 2-for-2 (1.000) against Toussaint, including a homer and two RBI. Centerfielder Cedric Mullins is also batting 1.000 off of Toussaint (1-for-1). Outfielder DJ Stewart is 1-for-2 with a homer and three RBI.

Braves vs Orioles Pick

The Orioles are nearing the club record for futility. In 1988, Baltimore opened the season with 21 consecutive losses. That set a franchise record for a losing streak.

The Orioles claimed RHP Chris Ellis off waivers from Tampa Bay, designating struggling RHP César Valdez for assignment.

Mountcastle is riding a 13-game hitting streak. Baltimore right fielder Anthony Santander returned to the lineup after missing one game due to a sore left ankle.

Just back from the IL, Braves catcher Travis D’Arnaud is out again. He’s been placed on the paternity list.

Reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman is hitting .357 in August with four homers and 11 RBI. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is batting .360 for the month with four homers and 17 RBI.

Pick: Atlanta Braves (-155)


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