Diamondbacks vs. Braves MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – July 20, 2023

By Hank Blaine • July 20, 2023

No doubt the marquee pitching matchup around MLB on Thursday is from Atlanta as NL Cy Young candidates Zac Gallen of the Diamondbacks and Spencer Strider of the Braves face off in what could be a Game 1 pitching preview of an October playoff series.

These teams played the wildest game of the season on Tuesday, a 16-13 Diamondbacks victory to snap a four-game skid. It was Arizona’s first game in which each team had at least 13 runs and the first in the majors since the Chicago White Sox beat the Cubs 17-13 on Aug. 27, 2021.

The Braves have won the season series with the Diamondbacks in each of the last two years, and since 2008, Atlanta has only lost the season series with Arizona twice.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Diamondbacks vs. Braves Game Information

Final: Diamondbacks 5, #Braves 3.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 20, 2023

When: Thursday, July 20, 2023, 12:20 PM ET
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: ARID, BSSO
Radio: KTAR 620 AM (Diamondbacks) // 680 The Fan (Braves)
Live Stream: MLB.tv
MLB Odds: Diamondbacks (+175) // Braves (-208)

Why bet on the Arizona Diamondbacks?

On Tuesday, Christian Walker homered twice and had three hits and five RBI for Arizona. NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll had two hits, scored three runs and drove in two. Carroll’s up to 28 steals on the season in 31 attempts, to go along with 18 homers, 50 RBI, 67 runs and a .900 OPS. He’s a future MVP. Walker had been batting just .100 (4-for-40) through his last 11 games in July before Tuesday, but is now up to 20 homers and 63 RBI on the season to go along with a career-high .848 OPS.

The D-backs’ 2-3-4 hitters in the batting order ranks among the best in the NL: AVG (1st), hits (1st), extra-base hits (1st), total bases (1st, 557), SLG (2nd), RBI (3rd), OBP (4th) and home runs (4th). Arizona’s .990 fielding percentage is the best in the majors. Their 16 team defensive runs saved are fourth in the NL. Walker’s 6 Outs Above Average (OAA) and 4 Runs Above Average (RAA) lead all MLB first basemen.

Atlanta’s Austin Riley drove in a career-high seven runs with three hits, including two homers, in the loss Tuesday. The 16 runs were easily the most allowed by Atlanta, still the clear cut favorite to win the World Series, this season. The previous high came in an 11-10 loss at Cincinnati on June 23. Starting outfielder Eddie Rosario (hamstring) remains “kind of iffy,” according to Manager Brian Snitker, and is day-to-day. He didn’t play Tuesday.

Snakes ace Zac Gallen (11-4, 3.14 ERA) was the Cy Young favorite but has struggled a bit of late – you may remember he started for the NL in the All-Star Game and threw a scoreless inning.

He took the loss last Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks over five innings against Toronto. He struck out five. Gallen struggled with his command early, walking two batters in the first before giving up a second-inning leadoff single to Whit Merrifield, who eventually came around to score one of two runs for Toronto in the inning. Gallen allowed the leadoff man to reach base in four of his five innings of work and failed to make it through six innings for the first time in his last six starts.

Why bet on the New York Mets?

It’s MLB strikeout leader and NL Cy Young contender Spencer Strider (11-3) on the mound for Atlanta. Strider took the loss against the White Sox last Saturday, pitching six innings and allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out 10 batters. Strider displayed plenty of his usual dominance, racking up 26 whiffs and 10 strikeouts. The All-Star has notched double-digit strikeouts in seven different starts this season, and he leads MLB with 176 punchouts overall. He’s also tied for the league lead with 11 wins, though his 3.66 ERA is nearly a run worse than the 2.67 mark he posted as a rookie last year.

Gallen took a no-decision at home vs. Atlanta on June 4, allowing two earned runs over six innings. He labored hard early on but settled in. Gallen struck out six and walked one in 110 pitches.

Strider pitched in Arizona on June 3 and got the win, allowing two runs and three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in six innings. Strider was overpowering at times, though worked through traffic in every inning. He managed to work out of it until Evan Longoria hit a towering homer to left leading off the fifth inning. Strider was replaced by Jesse Chavez after giving up a leadoff single to Emmanuel Rivera in the seventh.

Atlanta suffered its last home shutout at the hands of San Francisco on August 28, 2021, as the club has scored in 146 straight home contests.

Diamondbacks vs. Braves Betting Trends

Diamondbacks are 4-8 SU in the last 12 games.
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games against Atlanta.
The total went under in 11 of Arizona’s last 16 games.
Braves are 1-5 SU in the last 6 games.
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total went under in 6 of Atlanta’s last 9 games.

Diamondbacks vs. Braves Betting Prediction

Braves 6, Diamondbacks 4.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.