2020 MLB Atlanta Braves World Series Odds & Picks

Braves Over/Under Win Total at 90.5

Gamblers have the ultimate love/hate relationship with the Atlanta Braves.  Few teams are a more reliable regular season bet on the board in any sport than the Braves.  Atlanta once again turned a nice profit for the 2019 season as they went on to post their second consecutive National League East Division title.  Of course, balanced against that was yet another post season flop of epic proportions.

Hosting the fifth and deciding game of the National League Divisional Series against the St. Louis Cardinals in front of a packed sellout home crowd, the Braves did what the Braves always do; which is suffer a humiliating playoff defeat.  This one was among the most memorable ever as the Redbirds jumped on Atlanta for 10 runs in the top of the first inning en route to a 13-1 win to clinch the series.  Well, at least it wasn’t a gut-wrenching heartbreaker and was over quickly. 

Now with the page turned to 2020 the question turns to the Braves prospects against an opening season win total of 90.5.

2020 Atlanta Braves Win Total Betting Online Odds at DraftKings:
90.5 wins, -115 over, -115 under
Betting Odds provided by DraftKings (IN, NJ & PA only, T&C's Apply, 21+)

2020 Atlanta Braves Season Win Total Odds Overview

Remember that the regular season win total has nothing to do with playoff prospects.  And when it comes to success over the 162-game grind few teams in any sport have developed more good will with gamblers than the Atlanta Braves.  Hence there will be more than a few fliers on Atlanta going over the total of 90.5, especially when other handicapping factors are taken into account.

National League East

First things first when considering the Braves 2020 prospects is a look at their NL East Division rivals.  Keep in mind the unbalanced MLB schedule that emphasizes division matchups

By any reasonable measure the defending World Series champion Washington Nationals have a good chance of slipping back after catching everyone napping in 2019.  The New York Mets with National League Rookie of the Year and home run champion Pete Alonso are getting a lot of public love despite fading badly down the stretch last September.  The Philadelphia Phillies were a miserable failure despite the Bryce Harper hype and are unproven, while the Miami Marlins are completely outclassed.  All told it looks like another NL East title for the Braves.

Brian Snitker

Braves manager Brian Snitker has proven to be the perfect fit after four years on the job. Snitker was named 2018 National League Manager of the Year and won Sporting News NL Manger of the Year for 2019.  Atlanta enjoys the stability of a proven and respected field manager heading into 2020. 

Braves Pitching

Dating back to their glory years of 1991-2005 under manager Bobby Cox, the Braves have always been at their best when the pitching was right.  And that has certainly been the case for the past two seasons.  Atlanta ranked seventh in MLB for quality starts and 10th for bullpen last year. Left-handed 2019 NL All-Star Mike Soroka is slated to anchor the rotation as number one starter.  The 22-year-old Soroka dominated his first full season in MLB.  Consider a record of 13-4 with a 2.68 earned run average.  He pitched 174.2 innings with 142 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.11.  Soroka allowed only seven home runs. Veteran 34-year-old closer Mark Melancon is a three-time All-Star that won 2015 Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year honors.  Melancon arrived in-season last year from San Francisco and saved 11 games for the Braves.  Overall for 2019 Melancon posted 68 strikeouts in 67.1 innings of work with a 5-2 record and 3.67 earned run average. 

At the Plate

The Braves enjoyed a highly productive 2019 season in which they ranked seventh in MLB for runs scored and OPS along with eighth for home runs.

First baseman and four-time NL All-Star Freddie Freeman powered the Atlanta attack with a career high 38 home runs and 121 runs batted in last year. 

22-year-old Right fielder and 2018 NL Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuna Jr is a key component of the Braves lineup.  He scored 127 runs last year with 37 stolen bases, 41 home runs, and 101 runs batted in.

2020 Atlanta Braves Win Total Selection Summary

The Braves remain one of the most complete teams in baseball and the class of the National League East and that should send them over the total of 90.5.

2020 Atlanta Braves Win Total Free Pick:

Braves to go OVER the total of 90.5 wins for the 2020 season.