Published Apr 3, 11:04pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Apr 3, 11:04pm ET
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| Arizona Diamondbacks | -105 |
| Atlanta Braves | -105 |
In 2023, Bryce Elder was a National League All-Star with a 12-4 record in 31 starts and a 2.7 bWAR. The two subsequent years were awful and he even ended up back in the minors. Still, the Braves have high hopes for him and, at least in his first start this season against the Athletics, he pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits, walking 1, and striking out 5.
The Braves have come out of the gate hot at the plate. Drake Baldwin and Mauricio Dubon both have an OPS above 1.000 with Baldwin showing early power. Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Mike Yastrzemski, and Dominic Smith have also been scorching.
Ronald Acuña Jr. has been slumping, but it's only a matter of time before he busts out.
Against D-Backs starter Mike Soroka, Baldwin is 1 for 2 with a homer. Yastrzemski is 1 for 3. Oslon is 0 for 2.
Mike Soroka broke into the majors with the Braves in 2018. By 2019, he was an All-Star, finished 6th in the NL Cy Young Award voting, and 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He had a 6.0 bWAR in 29 starts with a 2.68 ERA.
Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles the next year after 3 solid starts. Then he tore it again and missed two full seasons. He pitched poorly upon his return and the Braves moved on from him. Since then, he's bounced to the White Sox, Nationals, Cubs, and now Diamondbacks.
Soroka is still only 28 and his first start for the Diamondbacks was promising. Against the Tigers, he tossed 5 scoreless innings, walked 1, and struck out 10. It would be a find for Arizona if he can replicate his early-career form.
Apart from Jordan Lawlar, Arizona has not been hitting so far. His OPS is near 1.000. Corbin Carroll has also gotten off to a good start with an OPS above 1.000.
Nolan Arenado has been terrible. Ketel Marte is batting under .200. Carlos Santana is looking every bit his 40 years.
For the Diamondbacks against Elder, Arenado is 2 for 11 with a double. Carroll is 2 for 5 with a triple. Geraldo Pedromo is at .667 in 3 at-bats. Santana is 0 for 6.
The pitching matchup in Braves vs Diamondbacks involves two pitchers trying to regain past success. One, Elder, has been healthy, but struggled mightily after a solid start to his career. Soroka looked like he was heading for stardom for the Braves before injuries derailed him.
In this matchup, the Braves have been hitting well and it's still a question as to whether Soroka can pitch well consistently. Atlanta should take the victory over Arizona.
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Pick
Atlanta Braves -105
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