Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Minnesota Twins 6/26/23

The Atlanta Braves (50-27) and their high-scoring lineup are set to host the Minnesota Twins (40-39) and Sonny Gray, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, at Truist Park on Monday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Twins are in the midst of a nine-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Tigers, taking the finale 6-3 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Donovan Solano was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Royce Lewis went 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI.

The Braves are playing the first of six games at home. They won two of three against the Reds in their last series, taking the finale 7-6 on Sunday at Great American Ball Park. Matt Olson went 1 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs.

The teams are meeting for the first time since August 7, 2019, when the Braves finished off a 2-1 series win with an 11-7 victory at Target Field.

ON THE MOUND

Gray (4-1, 2.56 ERA) is set for the start for Minnesota. The right-hander ranks third in the AL in ERA. Gray allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Red Sox on Wednesday. He gave up six hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision.

For Atlanta, right-hander Spencer Strider (8-2, 3.93 ERA) gets the ball. In his last start on Tuesday, Strider got the win on the road against the Phillies. He threw six innings and gave up one run on eight hits, striking out nine, in the 4-2 victory. The right-hander leads MLB in strikeouts (136). He also ranks fifth in the NL in wins.

AT THE PLATE

The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .231/.309/.403. Byron Buxton leads the team in OPS at .748.

The center fielder is slashing .207/.305/.442 with 13 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 35 runs over 61 games. Against righties like Strider this season, the Twins have a .726 OPS.

Buxton also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .822 OPS in 164 at-bats. Atlanta is slashing .271/.340/.485 for the season and averaging 5.6 runs per game, third-best in MLB.

Six Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.961). The right fielder has 16 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 67 runs scored with a slash line of .328/.403/.558.

Atlanta is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.289/.363/.553). The Braves have a .800 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the highest in MLB. With a .993 OPS over 208 at-bats, Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Minnesota is 17-20 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Atlanta has won four in a row in front of their home fans. The Braves are 24-15 at home this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.7.