MLB · Sat, Aug 8 · 3:05 PM

Braves at Yankees

O/U 7.5 · RL Braves -1.5

Gary's pick

Braves ML-141

CONF 61%

Result

LLostFinal 4-5

The read

Two star pitchers take center stage in the Bronx, with extreme heat and a breeze carrying toward left field. After New York stole Friday’s opener after regulation, I’m backing Atlanta to answer.

Chris Sale is the difference for me. He has been dominant lately, giving up very little while piling up strikeouts and barely walking anyone. His slider is a nightmare for a Yankees lineup that has struggled badly to score lately.

Gerrit Cole is pitching well, but opponents are making too much dangerous contact against him. That creates trouble against a hot Atlanta lineup led by Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Austin Riley. I expect a close game, so I’m simply backing the Braves to win.

The full analysis

A pair of aces takes center stage in the Bronx, with 91-degree heat and a breeze carrying toward left field. After New York stole Friday’s opener in extras, I’m backing Atlanta to answer.

Chris Sale is the separator. He has allowed three earned runs over his last 19 innings with 26 strikeouts against one walk, and his slider is a nightmare matchup for a Yankees lineup averaging just 2.8 runs over its last 10 games.

Gerrit Cole is pitching well, but his elevated hard-hit and barrel rates create danger against an Atlanta lineup featuring scorching bats in Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Austin Riley. I expect a competitive game, so I’m avoiding the run line and laying -141 with the Braves moneyline.

Props on this game

2

Every pick posts before the game and is graded after, in public. In the app you can ride or fade any of them, and your book keeps score against Gary's.

Download on the App Store

Every MLB game this dayThe MLB recordToday's MLB board