MLB Picks 5/30 – Atlanta Braves @ Oakland A’s

MLB Picks 5/30 – Atlanta Braves @ Oakland A’s

by Thomas Quaynor – MLB analyst for Wannamakeabet.com

The Atlanta Braves (32-22) are on the road facing the Oakland A’s (11-45) tonight in the second game of a 3-game set. Oakland inexplicably won the first game 7-2 last night snapping an 11-game losing streak, Oakland’s last win came exactly two weeks ago on May 16 against Arizona. Tonight’s starters are Bruce Edler (3-0, 2.01 ERA) for Atlanta and JP Sears (0-3, 4.70 ERA) for Oakland. 

 

These franchises pulled off two significant trades with each other that have boosted Atlanta and signified a major rebuild for Oakland. In March 2022, Atlanta acquired slugger Matt Olson from Oakland in exchange for four players, which included highly touted prospect Shea Langeliers, who is now a full-time starter for Oakland. Last December, Atlanta acquired catcher Sean Murphy from Oakland in a three-way trade that involved nine players. Olson and Murphy were teammates in Oakland for 3 winning seasons (2019-2021), including 2 postseason appearances. Losing Olson and then Murphy are huge reasons why Oakland is in the dismal state they are in now.

GAME ODDS

Moneyline: Atlanta -245, Oakland +200

Run Line: Atlanta -1.5 (-134), Oakland +1.5 (+112)

Run Total: over 8 (-108)  under 8 (112)

GAME STORYLINES

Due to the surprising struggles of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, the Atlanta Braves are now cruising to their sixth straight National League East title as they currently hold a 4-game lead in the division. Atlanta has seven of their core players (Austin Riley, Matt Olsen, Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies) signed through the 2028 season meaning they could be in the midst of a dynasty that brings multiple World Series rings to Atlanta over the next 5+ seasons. 

Atlanta’s 90 home is tied for second in all of baseball. First baseman Matt Olson’s 17 homers and 42 RBI lead the team and he’s has homered in two straight games. Right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is an early season NL MVP candidate as he’s hitting .327 with 11 homers, 30 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Acuna has rebounded well from a July 2021 torn ACL that caused him to miss Atlanta’s World Series win in October and limited his production in 2022. Catcher Sean Murphy is having his best season as a big-leaguer in his first season with Atlanta batting .291 with 11 homers and 38 RBI. 

The Oakland A’s season of misery got a little better after their 11-game losing streak came to an end last night. At 11-45, they still have set the record for most losses prior to June 1 surpassing the 2013 Florida Marlins and 1996 Detroit Tigers who both had 41 losses. Oakland only has two hitters (Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker) batting above .260 and the pitching is even worse as none of their starters has more than 1 win and four starters have ERA’s above 7.00.

Oakland’s 24-year-old rookie outfielder Esteury Ruiz has been one of the few bright spots this year as he’s batting .273 with 1 homer, 23 RBI and a league-leading 27 stolen bases. He has an outside shot at winning American League Rookie of the Year. Left fielder Brent Rooker has been the other positive for Oakland this season, he’s batting .261, and his 11 homers and 32 RBI lead the team. 25-year-old catcher Shea Langeliers, who was the centerpiece in the Matt Olson trade, has 7 homers and 24 RBI in his first full season in the majors. Ruiz, Rooker and Langeliers should be foundational pieces for this franchise when they become the Las Vegas A’s in 2025.

THE PICK  Like I’ve said before, betting against Oakland is the give that keeps on giving…Take Atlanta on the run line!