Braves vs Astros World Series Game 2 Odds, Betting Lines, and Probable Pitchers

• The Houston Astros host the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday (October 27th, 8:09 pm ET)
• Houston will give the ball to Jose Urquidy (0-1, 27.00 ERA), while Atlanta will counter with Max Fried (1-1, 3.78 ERA)
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

“Break a leg” is a common phrase an actor or actress might hear before a big performance. While someone must have told the Atlanta Braves to break a leg prior to Game 1 of the World Series versus the Houston Astros, because that’s exactly what happened to Atlanta starter Charlie Morton.

The 37-year-old took a one-hopper off his left leg in the second inning of Game 1 and although he finished the frame, he was diagnosed with the injury soon afterwards.

The incident didn’t phase the Braves however, as their bullpen limited the Astros to two runs over 6.2 innings the rest of the way, while the Atlanta bats put up six runs en route to a 6-2 victory.

Braves vs Astros Game 2 Odds

Odds as of Oct. 26th at FanDuel.

The Braves will look to take a 2-0 series lead when the teams meet again on Wednesday (October 27th) for Game 2. Atlanta opened up as a slight underdog on the moneyline, but have shorter runline odds than Houston, in a contest that features a total of 8.5

First pitch is scheduled for 8:09 pm ET at Minute Maid Park, with a perfect night for baseball on deck. The forecast currently calls for clear skies and 73 degree night time temperatures.

Probable Pitchers

Houston will give the ball to right-hander Jose Urquidy for just his second start of the postseason. Urquidy lasted only 1.2 innings in his 2021 playoff debut versus Boston in the ALCS, coughing up five hits and six runs before being yanked from the ball game.

The outing was by far the worst of his postseason career, which up until that point included a 1-1 record over eight appearances, including four starts. He was on the mound for Game 4 of the 2019 World Series, and shutout the Washington Nationals over 5 innings en route to a victory.

Jose Urquidy says he feel more confident than he was when he started in the 2019 World Series. Tomorrow during Game 2 he hopes to enjoy the moment overall a little more.

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) October 26, 2021

The 26-year-old has been largely inconsistent since returning from a shoulder injury in early September, failing to make it past the 5th inning in four of seven outings.

Urquidy has never faced the Braves, or any member of their active roster. Atlanta smacked 12 hits in Game 1, including two by the red-hot Eddie Rosario. The NLCS MVP has now racked up 13 hits in his last 21 at-bats (.619), including three home runs.

Fried vs Urquidy 2021 Playoff Stats

Atlanta will counter with left-hander Max Fried, who pitched extremely well in his first two 2021 playoff starts, but was shelled last time out. Fried coughed up eight hits and five runs to the LA Dodgers in Game 5 of the NLDS, lasting just 4.2 innings.

He was 1-0 in his two previous outings in this year’s postseason, holding the same Dodgers team two runs over 6 innings five days earlier, while shutting out the Milwaukee Brewers over 6 innings in Game 2 of the NLCS.

"Can the Braves win the #WorldSeries? Absolutely, they can. But the Braves pitching has to shut down one of the best, if not the best, offenses in all of baseball."

— @BenVerlander on Charlie Morton, Max Fried & if the Braves bullpen can stop the Astros:

Sponsored by @tacobell pic.twitter.com/HhXhpC3wJN

— Flippin' Bats Podcast (@FlippinBatsPod) October 26, 2021

Fried has amassed a 1-2 record in 15 career playoff appearances, including seven starts, posting a 4.92 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He’s never faced Houston, and the lone Astros batter with any experience against him is infielder Marwin Gonzalez.

2021 Playoff Batting Average

Houston’s lineup was held to eight hits and two runs in Game 1, marking just the second time in 11 postseason games they’ve failed to cross the plate at least five times.

Braves vs Astros Pick

Dating back to the regular season, the Astros have scored fewer than four runs in consecutive home games just once since mid-September. They’ve put up at least five runs in 11 of their past 13 outings, while absolutely crushing left-handed pitching all year. Houston is slugging .449 versus southpaws in 2021, with a .788 OPS.

That's how you start a World Series!@Braves go up 1-0 on a Jorge Soler home run.

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/0hqUINHkhX

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 27, 2021

Atlanta meanwhile, is set-up for success versus Urquidy, who’s been underwhelming since returning from his shoulder injury. The Braves have scored at least five runs in five of their past eight, while slugging eight home runs over their past four playoff contests.

Pick: Over 8.5 (-120)