Rangers vs Braves Prediction MLB Free Pick 5/17

© Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Preview

As the MLB season is well underway, today's spotlight is on the promising match between the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves. The high stakes game will see two teams with a healthy season record, but our MLB predictions indicate a favorable outcome for the Rangers, despite the Braves’ impressive performance so far. Follow our MLB picks for today and engage in exciting baseball talk on the KingPin.pro app, available on both iOS and Android platforms.

The Atlanta Braves: An Overview

The Braves have had a commendable season, boasting a 26-15 record and an impressive 16-6 on the road. They're leading the National League East, making them a formidable opponent for any team.

Pitching Analysis

The Braves are sending Jared Shuster, a rookie pitcher, to the mound. Shuster has had a rocky start to his career, with an 8.31 ERA and a WHIP of 2.42 over 8.2 innings. He’s allowed 12 hits, struck out five, and walked nine, not the most reassuring stats. However, rookies have been known to surprise, so it will be intriguing to see how Shuster performs.

Hitting Analysis

Offensively, the Braves have proven their might with key players like Ronald Acuna Jr., who boasts a .344 average, and Matt Olson, who has hit 11 home runs this season. The Braves have an overall batting average of .258, with a collective 69 home runs, contributing to their .339 OBP and .465 SLG.

Injuries

However, the Braves' roster has been hit with a few injuries. Kyle Wright and Lucas Luetge are on the injured list, while JR Ritchie is day-to-day. These absences could impact the Braves' performance.

The Texas Rangers: An Overview

The Texas Rangers, leading the American League West with a 25-16 record and a solid 12-7 record at home, have been performing strongly.

Pitching Analysis

The Rangers are countering with Dane Dunning on the mound. He has an impressive record this season with a 3-0, a 1.72 ERA, and a 0.86 WHIP over 31.1 innings. He has allowed only 20 hits, struck out 19, and walked 7, showing a strong and reliable performance that should give the Rangers the upper hand.

Hitting Analysis

On the offensive side, Jonah Heim leads the Rangers with a .315 average, and Adolis Garcia has been a power hitter with 10 home runs this season. The team has an overall batting average of .266, with a total of 53 home runs, and an OBP of .337 and SLG of .440.

Injuries

The Rangers have also seen their share of injuries. Mitch Garver is on the 10-day IL, while Aaron Zavala and Kumar Rocker are day-to-day. More critically, Jacob deGrom and Corey Seager are both on the 15-day and 10-day IL respectively, which could impact the Rangers' defense.

KingPin.pro’s Prediction: Why the Rangers Will Win

Our MLB experts picks lean towards the Rangers for this matchup. Despite the Braves' solid performance this season, the Rangers have the home advantage and a more experienced pitcher on the mound. Dane Dunning's impressive stats contrast sharply with Jared Shuster's, and this could be a key factor in the game's outcome. Moreover, the Rangers have been hitting well, and if they can continue this trend, they could overpower the Braves' rookie pitcher.

Pick: Rangers ML