The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros have met in the postseason five times previously, but that was back when Houston was a National League team. They square off in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night.

This World Series is the first ever to feature two teams that both lost the LCS in the previous year. Atlanta lost to the Dodgers in 2020 and Houston to Tampa Bay. It’s only the second time since Major League Baseball began the six-division format in 1994 that the World Series features an AL West team vs. an NL East club. In 2019, the Washington Nationals defeated the Astros, 4-3, in a seven-game series.

Nitrobetting is here to deliver the latest Major League Baseball news and coverage from the 2021 MLB playoffs and beyond. This time, let’s take a look at the crucial matchup between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the 2021 World Series. Be on top of all the developments by tuning in to the MLB odds, previews, and predictions for all the exciting postseason baseball action ahead.

Braves vs. Astros 2021 World Series Game 1 Information

• When: Tuesday, October 26, 2021, 8:09 PM ET
• Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
• TV: FOX, FOX-INT
• Radio: 680 The Fan (Braves) // 790AM KBME (Astros)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Braves (+121) / Astros (-139)

READ MORE: Braves vs. Astros 2021 World Series Game 2 Odds, Preview, and Prediction

Why bet on the Atlanta Braves?

Atlanta and Houston didn’t play in the regular season. The Braves were an ugly 6-14 against the American League in interleague play this year, which may or may not matter at this point. The Braves will add the designated hitter for the games in Houston, which should be Jorge Soler. He missed the NLCS upset of the Dodgers in COVID protocols. He went 1-for-11 with two walks in the three NLDS games he played before testing positive.

The Braves acquired Soler from Kansas City around the trade deadline, and it didn’t cost Atlanta much because Soler hit just .192 with 13 homers and a .658 OPS in 360 plate appearances for the Royals. He batted .269 with 14 homers and a .882 OPS in 242 regular-season plate appearances for Atlanta. Soler has lost his leadoff spot to red-hot Eddie Rosario, though, as Rosario was the NLCS MVP hitting leadoff.

The American League leads the National League 66-50 all-time in the World Series, but the Senior Circuit has won seven out of the last 11 and nine of the last 14. Since the Yankees won three straight World Championships from 1998-2000, the NL holds a narrow lead over the AL 11-9. It’s very important to win Game 1 as that winner has gone on to win the Fall Classic 63 percent of the time, including 20 of the past 23. Houston is 2-0 in Game 1s in these playoffs, and Atlanta 1-1.

Why bet on the Houston Astros?

It will be former Astros right-hander Charlie Morton on the mound for the Braves. The 37-year-old was 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA during the regular season and is 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA in three playoff starts. He has given up two runs in each of his three starts and really struggled with his command the last time out — issuing six free passes in 4 1/3 innings during Game 3 of the NLCS vs. the Dodgers.

Morton pitched for the Astros in 2017 & ’18 and earned the win for Houston in Game 7 of the ’17 World Series against the Dodgers, throwing the final four innings. He also pitched against the Astros in the 2020 ALCS with Tampa Bay. In his most recent World Series appearance, Morton allowed five runs over 4 1/3 innings in a Game 3 loss to the Dodgers last year.

It’s lefty Framber Valdez for Houston. He was 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA this season and is 1-0 with a 4.20 ERA in three playoff starts. Valdez was terrific last time out in Game 5 of the ALCS in Boston, allowing one run over eight innings. His first six were scoreless before Rafael Devers hit a solo shot off him.

Valdez became the fifth pitcher (sixth time) in franchise history to log at least 8.0 innings without permitting more than four baserunners and one run scored. The 27-year-old also became the youngest pitcher to deliver at least 8.0 innings of one run ball-or-less in a playoff game since Madison Bumgarner in the 2016 NL Wild Card Game.

Lance McCullers Jr. was Houston’s best pitcher in the regular season and in theory would have started Game 1, but he was hurt in the ALDS, missed the ALCS and will not pitch in the World Series.

Braves vs. Astros MLB Betting Trends

• Braves are 13-4 in the last 17 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Braves are 13-5 in the last 18 games following a win.
• The total went over in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games.
• Astros are 6-1 in the last 7 playoff home games.
• Astros are 6-2 in the last 8 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• The total went over in 8 of Houston’s last 9 games.

Braves vs. Astros Series Betting Prediction

MLB Betting Pick: Astros 4, Braves 3

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