Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants 9/17/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Atlanta Braves open a three-game series on the road Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Atlanta is 76-68 following a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Atlanta has lost two straight and three of the last four, but is first in the National League East 3 ½ games ahead of the second place Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta has the 12th best team ERA in baseball with 3.99.

Third baseman Austin Riley is batting .298 to lead Atlanta while Freddie Freeman has 30 home runs, 160 hits and an on-base percentage of .390 to lead Atlanta in each category. Second baseman Ozzie Albies has 94 RBIs to lead the club. On Friday, the Atlanta Braves will send Charlie Morton to the mound. The right-hander is 13-5 with an ERA of 3.49, 192 Ks and 51 BBs.

San Francisco is 95-51 following a 9-6 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. The loss snapped San Francisco's nine-game winning streak but the Giants are holding onto first place in the National League West with a 1 ½-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Francisco is second in baseball in team ERA with 3.26 and third in slugging percentage at .443.

Brandon Crawford is batting .297 to lead San Francisco and the shortstop has team highs in RBIs with 80, hits with 126 and on-base percentage at .371. First baseman Brandon Belt is the leader in home runs with 25. On Friday, the San Francisco Giants will send Logan Webb to the mound. The right-hander is 10-3 with an ERA of 2.80, 132 Ks and 32 BBs.