Padres vs Braves Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for April 9 (Atlanta Salvages Series Split at Truist Park)

Padres vs. Braves Game Info

• Date: Sunday, April 9, 2023
• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• Venue: Truist Park -- Atlanta, GA
• Coverage: ESPN

The 2023 MLB season continues on Sunday with a thrilling showdown between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. Atlanta earned a walk-of victory in the first game of this series on Thursday, but San Diego has battled back to take both the second (5-4 score) and third (4-1 score) showdowns.

The Padres will look to secure an impressive road series win with Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.29 ERA) on the mound, while the Braves will aim to get back in the win column as Dylan Dodd (1-0, 1.80 ERA) draws the start. Which NL contender will put on a show in front of the viewers on Sunday Night Baseball?

Padres vs. Braves Odds & Spread

• All MLB betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: SD: (-102) | ATL: (-116)
• Spread: SD: -1.5 (+152) | ATL: +1.5 (-184)
• Total: 9 -- Over: (-112) | Under: (-108)

The Braves enter this National League matchup as slight home favorites on the moneyline at FanDuel Sportsbook. This game also has a projected total of 9 runs, which the over favored at -112 odds.

Padres vs. Braves Betting Trends

• San Diego is 5-2 straight up in its last seven games against Atlanta.
• The total has hit the over in nine of San Diego's last 13 away games.
• Atlanta is 15-4 straight up in its last 19 home games.
• The total has hit the under in four of Atlanta's last five games.

Padres vs. Braves Prediction & Pick

Neither of these pitchers are known as aces, but both Lugo and Dodd looked amazing in their 2023 debuts. Lugo torched the Colorado Rockies as he gave up 1 run across 7.0 innings of work. On the other side, Dodd shined with only 1 run allowed across 5.0 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

This game also features some of the best hitters in the National League. San Diego shortstop Xander Bogaerts is tied for 10th in the NL in total bases this year (23), while Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson checks in tied for fifth in RBI (10). Austin Riley, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr. have been hot as well.

This game could go either way, but I find myself leaning toward Atlanta due to home-field advantage. The Braves are 15-4 straight up in its last 19 home games and possess a distinct edge in the later innings. Atlanta's stellar bullpen ranks fifth in ERA (2.52), while San Diego's ranks 21st (4.78).

Final Score Prediction: Padres: 3 | Braves: 4

Padres vs. Braves Best Bet

The Braves may beat up on San Diego's bullpen on Sunday night, but I don't expect them to beat up on Seth Lugo. Lugo confused Rockies' hitters all game long with 7 strikeouts in his first start. Atlanta notably ranks 22nd in batter strikeouts per game this season (9.00) and just whiffed 10 times against Michael Wacha on Saturday. This prop bet is worth the juiced odds as Lugo looks to impress again.

Bet: Seth Lugo Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-154)

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.