Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers 5/15/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

By: Lance |

Last Updated: 05/14/2021 at 10:24 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves square off the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of a series at American Family Field. Atlanta was swept by the Blue Jays in the series coming into this, dropping to 17-20 and falling 4 games back on the NL East-leading Mets. The Brewers have lost seven of their last ten games sitting at 20-18, and have now fallen 3 games back of the NL Central lead.

Atlanta comes into this game just outside the top-10 in scoring offense averaging 4.51 runs per game, ranking 11th in the MLB, but are hitting .228 ranking 20th in the league in team batting average. Left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has quickly become one of the faces of baseball and is hitting .302 with an MLB high 12 homeruns and has driven in 24 runs. Power-hitting first baseman Freddie Freeman is hitting .214, but has hit 9 homeruns with 21 RBIs. 

The Braves will hand the ball to right-hander Ian Anderson who is off to a solid start to the season going 2-1 with a 3.46 ERA in his first 7 starts. Anderson has struggled in his last two starts allowing 12 hits and 7 runs across 10 innings of work but has been very solid across his young career, posting a 2.78 ERA in his 13 big league starts.

Milwaukee has been one of the worst offenses in the MLB this season hitting just .213 as a team and averaging 3.6 runs per game, both ranking in the bottom five of the MLB. The injuries to former-MVP Christian Yelich haven’t done them any favors this season, he’s played in just 10 games this season and remains on the 10-day DL. Avisail Garcia has been a nice addition in the outfield, he’s hitting a team-high .275 with 5 homeruns and 20 RBIs while third baseman Travis Shaw is leading the Brewers in RBIs with 24 and is tied for the team lead in homeruns with 5. 

The long left-hander Brett Anderson will get the ball and hopes to continue his solid start to the year, he’s 2-2 with a 3.54 ERA. Anderson has dealt with injuries and been unable to work deep into games, his “rehab” start against the Marlins was a good one, going 3 scoreless innings allowing just 2 hits, and striking out 3 in a Brewers win. However, the questions remain on his health on if he’ll be able to work deep into games. 

Atlanta was swept by the Blue Jays and is looking to bounce back against a tough Brewers opponent. Both of these pitchers have been very solid this season but the Braves bats have been much better, even with Acuna’s status in question with ankle soreness, Atlanta is able to start to turn things around an get back to winning ways. Milwaukee has lost seven of their last ten and those struggles continue when Anderson continues to struggle with his health and ability to work deep into games. Final score prediction, Braves win 4-3.

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