Free Picks: New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves

For two teams dealing with slow starts, this is the perfect opportunity to flip the script. The Atlanta Braves have not fallen as hard as the Yankees, but both teams are not where they’d imagine starting the 2021 campaign. This two-game set takes place in New York, where the Yankees have struggled to pick up wins. Will they treat the hometown crowd to a much-needed win on Tuesday?

For a team projected to not only win the division but to compete for a World Series, April baseball has not been kind to the pinstripes. Thankfully for New York, the World Series isn’t decided in the opening weeks of the season.

However, just because there is time for the Yankees to cover lost ground, it doesn’t mean they need to wait until the final moments. Tuesday, the Bronx Bombers begin a two-game set against another World Series hopeful.

The Atlanta Braves have been a force in the NL East in recent seasons. Like the Yankees however, they have not had the hottest start to 2021.

For this MLB prediction, I think it will be smart to focus on the Moneyline. With the Braves at 7-9 on the season but 5-5 in their last 10, I think Atlanta is seeing an upward swing more quickly than the Yankees.

New York has been abysmal this season, while the Braves struggled with one rough patch.

Looking at pitching, I don’t think the match-up necessarily favors either side, to be honest. Charlie Morton is on the mound for Atlanta, while Jameson Taillon is on the bump for New York.

I might give a slight advantage to Morton and the Braves because he made one costly mistake earlier in the season during a four-run third inning. Other than that, he has completed six innings in two straight outings.

I was fully invested in Atlanta for this free MLB bet, but with Ronald Acuna Jr., day-to-day with an abdominal injury, the Braves are losing the most explosive offensive player.

Atlanta has been a middle-tier offense to start the season, but with Acuna Jr., out of the lineup, that is an insane hole to fill for the Braves right now.

I think Atlanta has the better starter on the mound in this one. But the Braves are missing a key player that drives a ton of offense for their ballclub.

One player doesn’t make or break a team, but it’s hard to ignore Acuna Jr. not being in the lineup. I have to take the favorite on BetPicks.

• The Yankees average 7.20 runs per game in last 10 against ATL.
• New York are 4-1 in last 5 SU against Atlanta at home.
• Atlanta are 5-13 SU in last 18 against New York.
• Albies and Acuna Jr., are both projected to miss Tuesday’s game.