After a day off, the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves return to action for Game 3 Friday as the World Series shifts to Truist Park for the next three nights. First pitch is scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET (on FOX). Let’s analyze the lines around the Astros vs. Braves odds with MLB picks and predictions.
After playing to a 1-1 tie in the first two games of the 2021 World Series, the Houston Astros will visit the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park for Game 3 on Friday night.
It will be a battle of young fireballers on the mound as Houston’s Luis Garcia faces Atlanta’s Ian Anderson. Let’s dive into Friday night’s matchup and see which team will take a 2-1 lead in the 117th Fall Classic.
Anderson has been strong in the postseason and the Braves are dominant at home (5-0 this October). Anderson hasn’t gone past the fifth inning in two of his last three postseason starts, but both bullpens should be rested Friday.
Also, the Astros have to figure out what do with Yordan Alvarez’s bat becasue there is no designated hitter. Since I can’t see them going without Alvarez in the lineup, that means Houston will have to move some defensive players around to accommodate Alvarez in left field. That could make for some sloppy play.
If the Braves are able to win out at home, Atlanta won’t have to worry about traveling back to Houston for Games 6 and 7. Getting a sweep at home won’t be easy, though, and the Braves will want to at least leave Atlanta with a 3-2 lead.
Starting pitching depth has been a bit of a problem in this year’s World Series. Overs continue to hit at an all-time rate in the postseason and more and more pitchers are getting injured.
Braves starter Ian Anderson is from New York, so the chilly weather may benefit him Friday night. He will look to continue his solid postseason work, but hopefully go a little deeper in this game as he didn’t make it past the fourth inning in either of his NLCS starts vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta’s lineup will look to get back on track after they generated just two runs in Game 2, and they usually are able to scratch across some runs at home. The Braves are 5-0 at home this postseason, and will look to stay perfect on their home grounds Friday evening. Freddie Freeman and Austin Riley will look to continue carrying the Braves offense, while veterans like Joc Pederson, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler will look to come up with timely hits like they have so far on Atlanta’s journey to their first World Series appearance since 1999. The Braves are very good at home, and have a great shot to take a series lead on Friday night in Game 3.
Prediction: Atlanta Braves ML