Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros 4/23/23

Hot-hitting Mauricio Dubon will be looking to extend his 16-game hitting streak as the Houston Astros (11-10) match up against the Atlanta Braves (14-7) at Truist Park on Sunday with the visitors looking to sweep the three-game Interleague series.

The Astros lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-3 on Saturday. Starter Framber Valdez went seven innings to get the win, giving up three runs on eight hits and striking out nine, and Bryan Abreu picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Jeremy Pena was 3 for 4 with one run in the win. Ozzie Albies went 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Braves.

ON THE MOUND

Cristian Javier (2-0, 3.68 ERA) is slated to start for Houston. The RHP allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 9-2 road win over the Blue Jays on Monday. He earned the win, yielding three hits while striking out five and walking two.

Javier is making his first appearance against the Braves this season. Javier made one start against the Braves in 2022, a 5-4 road loss on August 20. He surrendered one run on two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking one.

For Atlanta, LHP Max Fried (1-0, 1.08 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Astros. In his last start on Monday, Fried got the win on the road against the Padres. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out four, in the 2-0 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Houston has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.1, partially due to greater slugging (.420 vs .389). Against lefties like Fried this season, the ‘Stros have a .793 OPS. Yordan Alvarez is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.235 OPS in 22 at-bats.

Atlanta is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.207/.278/.360). The Braves have a .745 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.169 OPS over 52 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Houston is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 5-3 in 2023. The ‘Stros have scored 5.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 3.6 runs.

Atlanta has gone 4-5 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Truist Park, Houston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.0-4.0.