Odds, picks and predictions for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves

The Kansas City Royals (85-76) and Atlanta Braves (88-71) complete a three-game interleague series on Sunday at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:20 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's 24/7 MLB odds Royals vs. Braves Opportunities and meet our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Braves lead 2-0; Atlanta went 3-0 in 2023

The Braves ended the game with a solo HR by Travis d'Arnaud on Saturday to win 2-1 and take a one-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets as they battle for one of the two remaining NL WildCard playoff spots.

Atlanta has won five straight and is 7-1 in its last eight games, showing the urgency a team needs in a postseason comeback. Meanwhile, Arizona is just 2-5 in its last seven games, and New York has suffered three straight losses. The Braves and Mets have a makeup doubleheader at Truist Field on Monday.

The Royals are in the postseason despite going just 3-9 in their last 12 games since September 15th. The good news is that Kansas City's pitching has allowed just 11 runs or 1.8 runs per game (RPG) in the last 6 games. However, the offense has managed 3 or fewer runs in 9 of the last 10 games, averaging just 1.6 RPG over the 10-game span.

The Royals at Braves planned starters

RHP Alec Marsh vs RHP Charlie Morton

Marsh (8-9, 4.65 ERA) is making his 25th start and 26th appearance. He has a WHIP of 1.27, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 124 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 2 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 5 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 5 K in a 4-2 home loss to the Detroit Tigers on September 18th
• 2024 road breakdown: 4-5, 4.66 ERA, 63 2/3 IP, 33 ER, 59 H, 11 HR, 17 BB, 65 K, .241 opponent batting average (OBA), 1.19 WHIP in 12 starts
• Last 7 games: 1-3, 5.01 ERA (32 1/3 IP, 18 ER), 34 H, 10 BB, 37 K, 1.36 WHIP
• Never played against Braves

Morton (8-9, 4.08 ERA) is making his 30th start. He has a WHIP of 1.32, 3.5 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 161 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 3 K in 4-3 road setback to Miami Marlins on September 20th
• 2024 home division: 5-5, 3.54 ERA, 89 IP, 35 ER, 10 HR, 36 BB, 91 K, .256 OBA, 1.35 WHIP in 16 starts
• Last 7 games: 2-2, 3.12 ERA (40 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 36 H, 19 BB, 44 K, 1.36 WHIP
• Career vs. Royals: 2-2, 4.15 ERA (30 1/3 IP, 14 ER), 29 H, 3 HR, 8 BB, 30 K, 1.22 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 in 5 starts

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Royals at Braves odds

Powered by BetMGM Sportsbook; Visit the USA TODAY sports scores and sports betting hub for a complete list of MLB odds. Lines were last updated at 8:49 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Royals +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Braves -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
• Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-105) | Braves -1.5 (-115)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Royals at Braves tips and predictions

forecast

Braves 4, Royals 2

Money line

The Braves (-250) remain on the gas pedal and are moving closer to a postseason berth, but they are very costly. They have won 5 in a row and 7 of the last 8 games, and Morton is a good choice to give the home team a win against Marsh and the Royals (+200).

Kansas City has already secured a spot and seemed uninterested this weekend. The Royals are also 3-9 in their last 12 games, and the offense has struggled to score runs of late.

HAPPEN.

Running Line/Against the Spread

The BRAVES -1.5 (+115) are worth a look at the running line.

The Royals have only managed a single run in 2 games of this series and just 1.6 RPG in the last 10 games. Morton will likely keep them under control while Atlanta enjoys Marsh's offerings and positions itself well heading into the playoffs.

Over/Under

UNDER 8.5 (-115) is another strong game on Sunday.

The Royals, who scored just one run in the first two games of the series, have beaten the under in five of the last six games. The minors are also 19-6-1 in their last 26 games.

As for the Braves, they are 5-0-1 in their last 6 games. The Under has a 3-1 record in Morton's last 4 starts while he has a 6-2 record in his last 8 starting appearances.

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