Free MLB Picks Today: Oakland Athletics vs Atlanta Braves 5/31/23

The Oakland Athletics (12-45) host the Atlanta Braves (32-23) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Wednesday with the home team in position to sweep the three-game Interleague series.

The Athletics lead the series 2-0 after winning 2-1 on Tuesday. Shintaro Fujinami got the win with 0.1 scoreless innings of relief. Esteury Ruiz went 1 for 3 with one RBI in the win. Kevin Pillar was 2 for 3 with a solo home run and a double for the Braves.

ON THE MOUND

Jared Shuster (1-2, 5.33 ERA) is in line for the start for Atlanta. The LHP allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 6-4 home defeat against the Phillies on Friday. He scattered three hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision.

RHP James Kaprielian (0-5, 8.45 ERA) will toe the rubber for Oakland. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. In his last start on Friday, Kaprielian took the loss at home against the Astros. He threw five innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on eight hits, striking out four and walking two in the 5-2 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Atlanta has averaged only 3.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.1, thanks in part to a worse on-base performance (.288 vs .329). Against right-handed pitchers like Kaprielian this season, the Braves have a .734 OPS.

Matt Olson is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.030 OPS in 142 at-bats. Oakland is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 3.5 for the season. The A’s have a .734 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.068 OPS over 49 at-bats, Brent Rooker has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Atlanta is 17-9 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 3.2 runs. Oakland has gone 7-23 at home this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.4. Atlanta is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with an average scoreline of 4.9-4.0.