Free MLB Picks Today: Cleveland Guardians vs Atlanta Braves 7/5/23

Hot-hitting Ronald Acuna Jr. will be looking to extend his 15-game hitting streak as the Atlanta Braves (57-28) match up against the Cleveland Guardians (42-43) at Progressive Field on Wednesday with the three-game Interleague series in the balance.

The Guardians leveled the series 1-1 after winning 6-5 in 10 innings on Tuesday. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos threw one scoreless inning to get the win.

Amed Rosario went 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and had four RBIs. Ozzie Albies was 2 for 3 with two home runs and three RBIs for the Braves.

ON THE MOUND

Michael Soroka (1-1, 6.89 ERA) is in line to get the start for Atlanta. The RHP allowed three runs over six innings in his last start, a 16-4 road win over the Marlins on Friday. He earned the win, giving up six hits while striking out seven.

For Cleveland, right-hander Cal Quantrill (2-5, 6.18 ERA) gets the start. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. In his last start on Friday, Quantrill took the loss on the road against the Cubs. He threw 3.1 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two in the 10-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Atlanta has averaged 7.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.6, partially due to increased slugging (.651 vs .497). Against righties like Quantrill this season, the Braves have a .817 OPS, the highest in the league.

Acuna Jr. is the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .415 OBP in 239 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging 4.6 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.0 for the season.

The Guardians have a .690 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .951 OPS over 217 at-bats, Jose Ramirez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Atlanta is 27-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Cleveland has gone 21-20 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In eight meetings at Progressive Field, Atlanta is 5-3 with an average scoreline of 5.6-4.9.