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Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

There are only a few days left in the regular season and this series still holds postseason significance. On Friday night, the Braves beat the Royals 3-0 behind a fabulous effort from Max Fried but it still didn’t clinch them a postseason spot. And even though the Royals lost, they earned a postseason berth since the Twins lost to the Orioles.

That puts the Braves into a must-win position this weekend, and they will turn to Reynaldo Lopez Saturday night. He will be countered by Seth Lugo for the Royals, so let’s preview this matchup and see our expert’s best bets.

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves betting picks and predictions

Atlanta Braves ML (-205)

The NL Wild Card race has become an all-out sprint. Heading into Saturday's games, only the Padres have clinched a postseason berth through the Wild Card. There are still two Wild Card spots available, but the Braves, Mets, and Diamondbacks are all tied in the race.

The Braves have a difficult schedule ahead considering they have the Royals this weekend and then a doubleheader against the Mets on Monday. All of these games are now a must-win for Atlanta in order to keep their postseason hopes alive, and it begins with Reynaldo Lopez tonight.

Lopez was one of the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of the season with a 1.88 ERA in 17 starts, but the reliever-turned-starter has been dealing with arm fatigue in the second half of the season. That has limited him to just seven starts since the All-Star break and only five since the beginning of August. But he’s back today on nearly three weeks of rest and should be able to go at least five innings.

It’s hard to predict what we are going to see from him based on several different factors, but considering he’s allowed more than 3 earned runs in a start just once this season, I think his reliability will shine through.

The Royals clinched a postseason berth Friday night and the AL Wild Card race is officially over. The Orioles, Royals, and Tigers are the three teams headed to the postseason through the Wild Card spot. However, there were a lot of mixed feelings in the Kansas City clubhouse last night.

The Royals have lost eight of their last 11 games and only got into the Wild Card race because of a September collapse by the Twins. And all three of their wins in their last 11 games came against the Nationals. Regardless, the Royals have made the postseason and will send Seth Lugo to the mound tonight for his final start of the regular season.

Since Kansas City doesn’t have anything to play for anymore, I’m not expecting a long leash for Lugo. They need him rested and ready for the postseason next week.

Atlanta needs a win and I think they get it tonight.

Under 7.5 (+100)

It’s been a terrible last few weeks for the Royals. As mentioned above, they’ve lost eight of their last 11 games. Their only wins in that 11-game span came against the Nationals which isn’t too impressive. And digging deeper into that stretch, the Royals averaged just 1.6 runs in their eight losses.

So when Kansas City faced a good team or quality pitcher, their offense was completely shut down. That’s been a common theme for the Royals this month. Kansas City ranks 23rd in batting average, 26th in slugging percentage, 25th in OPS, and 24th in wRC+ against right-handed pitching in September.

The loss of Vinnie Pasquantino has become extremely apparent and KC is struggling to fill his production in the lineup. Last night’s shutout proved that the Royals aren’t close to breaking out of their slump anytime soon either.

Seth Lugo has been phenomenal in his first season in Kansas City. The right-hander has a 3.03 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 32 starts this season and hasn’t missed a start all year. Lugo has only gotten better down the stretch too considering he’s completed seven innings in four of his last five starts and has a 2.45 ERA this month. He’s taking on a motivated Braves lineup that looks a lot different than it did on Opening Day.

Atlanta still has a solid top of the order with Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies, Marcell Ozuna, and Matt Olson, but the lineup isn’t as scary as it used to be. I think Lugo can limit Atlanta for the first half of the game before the bullpen steps in and closes the door.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the MLB on site.

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves odds

Kansas City Royals

+170 ML

Atlanta Braves

-205 ML

Run Line

ATL Braves -1.5

Total Runs

O/U 7.5

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves player props

Player Home Run Odds

Matt Olson (ATL Braves)

+450

Marcell Ozuna (ATL Braves)

+310

Bobby Witt Jr. (KC Royals)

+400

Salvador Perez (KC Royals)

+425

Jorge Soler (ATL Braves)

+425

MJ Melendez (KC Royals)

+550

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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