Athletics vs Atlanta Braves Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 7/10/25, 5:42 PM  by Carlos Zabala | Modified on 7/24/25 at 11:19 PM in MLB Picks

The Athletics needed a strong start to the series against the Athletics, which they didn't get in Sacramento, and their chances of even matching their losing record, amid a pitching staff depleted by injuries, seem slim. Few imagined that the Braves, who reached the playoffs in 2024, would have a 39-51 record at this point in the season, surpassed even by the Marlins.

Things in Sacramento started poorly for the Braves. Profar, Olson, and Riley got three straight outs to start the game for Atlanta, and Butler hit an electrifying inside-the-park home run for the A's, giving the home team a five-run lead and four more in the next inning.

Game 3 will presumably feature this pitching duel. Strider, who is 3-for-7, has only had one solid outing since returning from injury, on June 14 against the Rockies, but has allowed an average of 5 hits and 3 ERs in the others. On the other side of the spectrum is JP Sears, with a solid 7-for-7 record with the Athletics but a high ERA of 4.76.