The Houston Astros will look to be road warriors once again when they face the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series in Atlanta on Friday. The Astros (95-67) won all three road games of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals, but then lost all four home games to fall short of their second title in three years. This time around, however, a road sweep would lead to a championship, the second in five seasons. The Braves (88-73) have come a long way since being 52-54 and in third place in the National League East on July 31. Since then, the Braves have been one of the best teams in the game, going 44-23 since.
First pitch from Truist Park in Atlanta is slated for 8:09 p.m. ET. Both teams have used the home-run ball to their advantage this postseason. Atlanta has belted 15 homers this October, second-best in MLB, while Houston has connected for 14, tied for third-best. Atlanta is a -111 favorite (risk $111 to win $100) on the money line in the latest Braves vs. Astros odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total runs scored is 8.5. Before making any Astros vs. Braves picks, make sure you check out the latest MLB predictions and betting advice from the red-hot SportsLine Projection Model.
This model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, entered the 2021 World Series with a 208-178 record on top-rated MLB money-line picks, returning almost $600. Anyone following it has seen some huge returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Astros vs. Braves and just revealed its coveted World Series 2021 picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's MLB picks. Here are the MLB odds and World Series betting lines for Braves vs. Astros:
- Braves vs. Astros money line: Houston +101, Atlanta -111
- Braves vs. Astros run line: Atlanta -1.5 (+175)
- Braves vs. Astros over-under: 8.5 runs
- HOU: The Astros are 4-0 in their last four World Series road games
- ATL: The Braves are 5-0 in their last five after allowing five runs or more in their previous game
Why you should back the Braves
Atlanta is expected to start right-hander Ian Anderson (9-5, 3.58 ERA) and he'll be backed by a powerful lineup. First baseman Freddie Freeman has been one of Atlanta's most consistent hitters this postseason and has come up clutch more than once. He is the Braves' second-leading hitter in the 2021 MLB playoffs, batting .293 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBIs. He has also drawn 11 walks in 12 games. He was 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in the Game 1 win over Houston, and had homered to propel the Braves past the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 in the decisive Game 4 NLDS matchup. He also homered and drove in two runs in Atlanta's 9-2 NLCS Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Outfielder Jorge Soler, who was the designated hitter in Games 1 and 2, was instrumental in getting the Braves off to a fast start to the World Series opener, hitting a lead-off home run and finishing 2-for-5 with two RBIs. In Game 2, he went 1-for-4. In seven postseason games this year, Soler has two doubles, one home run and two RBIs. Since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals, Soler has played well. In 55 regular-season games with Atlanta, he batted .269 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs.
Why you should back the Astros
Houston is scheduled to send right-hander Luis Garcia (11-8, 3.30 ERA) to the hill. He was outstanding in the decisive Game 6 win over the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. In the Astros' 5-0 win, Garcia did not allow a run on one hit in 5 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven as he picked up the win. Offensively, outfielder Michael Brantley continues to be a force. In Wednesday's 7-2 World Series Game 2 win over the Braves, he was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and has hits in six consecutive postseason games. In Game 1, he was 3-for-5 with a double. He was also a difference-maker in the ALCS against Boston. In Games 4 and 5 of that series, Brantley went 2-for-5 both times, driving in a total of four runs. In 12 postseason games, Brantley is batting .352 with four doubles, nine RBIs and one stolen base.
Also red hot is outfielder Kyle Tucker, who has driven in 15 runs this postseason with three doubles and four home runs. He was 2-for-4 with a double in the World Series opener on Tuesday and followed that up with a 1-for-3 effort, including a walk and stolen base. He has hits in 10 of 12 postseason games, including four multi-hit and multi-RBI games. In the decisive Game 6 win over the Red Sox in the ALCS, Tucker crushed a three-run home run in the eighth inning to seal the victory.
How to make Astros vs. Braves picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the run total, as the simulation says the starting pitchers from both teams will combine to allow fewer than four runs in nearly 11 combined innings, and it also says one side of the money line has the value. You can only get the model's World Series Game 3 pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Astros vs. Braves World Series Game 3? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Astros vs. Braves money line to jump on Friday, all from the advanced model that has returned nearly $600 on MLB picks in 2021, and find out.
