Michael King was everything and then some in Game 1 as the Padres righty tossed seven innings of shutout baseball while striking out 12 as San Diego went on to beat Atlanta 4-0.

Fernando Tatis hit a first inning home run to give the Padres a 2-0 lead and they never looked back.

Game 2 will see the Padres send righty Joe Musgrove to the mound while the Braves will counter with southpaw Max Fried.

For our Braves vs. Padres prediction let's examine the top storylines for Game 2 as well as the pitching matchup for each team.

 

 

 

Braves vs. Padres Predictions For NL Wild Card Game 2

Game 2 and our Braves vs. Padres picks should be a bit more interesting from a pure pitching perspective.

The injury to Chris Sale really put the Braves in a bind in Game 1 as they were forced to start AJ Smith-Shawver and go with a bullpen game the rest of the way.

Game 2 will see the Braves send All-Star lefty Max Fried to the mound. Fried finished the season going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA with 166 strikeouts over 174.1 innings.

With the Braves expecting to be more competitive on the mound, it gives their offense a chance to be more competitive at the plate as well as they take on Padres righty Joe Musgrove.

Musgrove got off to a pretty bad start to the season and eventually landed on the injured list in late May before returning in mid-August. Since returning however Musgrove has been strong, posting a 1.66 ERA over four August appearances and owning a 2.51 ERA during five September starts.

The Braves offense will really need the top of their lineup to come through, there is no doubt that missing Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley hurt this team but if Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson can do some damage tonight against Musgrove, Fried may be able to hold this really tough Padres lineup in check.

 

 

 

San Diego Padres: Can The Padres Complete The Sweep?

After a dominating Game 1 performance the Padres are looking to complete the sweep here on Wednesday night.

With Joe Musgrove going to the mound for the Padres, the right-hander had a really strong second-half of the season going 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA over nine starts with 57 strikeouts over 50.1 innings.

The Padres lineup is also no joke against left-handed pitching. In fact, the Padres faced Fried earlier this year and knocked him out of the game after just 4.1 innings pitched. That was one of three times this season that Fried didn’t make it at least five innings in a game.

With the pressure off the Padres, knowing this is not an elimination game, this is setting up nicely for them.

 

 

 

Atlanta Braves: Can Max Fried Keep The Braves Alive?

While it is a team game, the weight of the Braves season rests on the left arm of Max Fried here tonight.

The Braves southpaw was an All-Star this season, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 174.1 innings.

He has his work cut out for him here tonight as he faces a Padres lineup with the lowest strikeout rate in baseball against left-handed pitching at just 17.2%.

Fried did face the Padres earlier this year but lasted just 4.1 innings after he allowed three runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out two.

 

 

 

Braves vs. Padres Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

For our Braves vs. Padres predictions, here are the current odds, spreads, totals and betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook:

Run Line

  • Braves +1.5 (-218)
  • Padres -1.5 (+180

Money Line

  • Braves: +105
  • Padres: -125

Total

  • 6.5 (Over -120/Under +100)

 

 

 

Braves vs. Padres Starting Pitcher & Lineup

Max Fried, Atlanta Braves

The Braves' lefty was an All-Star this season, posting an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 174.1 innings.

He’s got a tough task ahead tonight, facing a Padres lineup that has the lowest strikeout rate against left-handed pitching, sitting at just 17.2%.

Fried faced the Padres earlier this year but struggled, lasting only 4.1 innings after giving up three runs on nine hits, while walking three and striking out just two.

Joe Musgrove, San Diego Padres

Joe Musgrove's season got off to a rocky start, leading to a stint on the injured list in late May. However, since his return in mid-August, he's been in top form. Musgrove posted a stellar 1.66 ERA across four August outings and maintained a strong 2.51 ERA over five starts in September. In the second half of the season, the Padres' right-hander went 3-1 with an impressive 2.15 ERA, striking out 57 batters over 50.1 innings across nine starts.

 

 

 

Braves vs. Padres Money Line: San Diego (-125 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

For my Braves vs. Padres prediction tonight I’m rolling with the home team getting the sweep. This line of just -125 on the money line seems like a solid play here.

The Braves offense just isn’t what we expected it would be when the season started and the big names they have in their lineup are having below average seasons.

On the mound they are throwing Max Fried which will give them a chance, but this Padres team is just too good against left-handed pitching, and I just don’t see Fried pitching deep into this game.

 

 

 

How To Bet On Braves vs. Padres At DraftKings Sportsbook & Claim Your $200 Bonus

Last but certainly not least, we promised a guaranteed $200 DraftKings promo to go along with our Braves vs. Padres predictions, and here’s how it works:

  1. Sign up here for a new DK account
  2. Make a first-time deposit of $5 or more
  3. Place a bet of $5 or more on any Braves vs. Padres odds, or anything else
  4. Receive $200 in bonus bets no matter what

It truly is that easy to boost your bankroll guaranteed, and as you can see, there isn’t even a DraftKings promo code required! So, just click here to join and take full advantage of our Braves vs. Padres picks.