Atlanta (16-19) at Milwaukee (22-13)
When: Monday, May 16th 2022
Where: American Family Field,
Milwaukee, WI
Time: 7:40 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Milwaukee -130/8
The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series champs and are picked by many to at least win their division once again. Things haven’t gone according to plan yet, but we are only in the middle of May. Atlanta begins a six-game road trip on Monday night when they visit the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers for the first of three. This will actually conclude the season series between the two, who could very well meet in an October playoff series.
The Braves took two out of three earlier this month at home versus the Brewers, which started the Braves nine-game homestand. That homestand ended with a 7-3 loss in extra innings to the San Diego Padres to keep Atlanta in third place in the National League East, 6.5 games behind the New York Mets. The Braves led 3-1 through six innings, but San Diego evened things up in the seventh before scoring four runs in the 11th. Dansby Swanson homered, scored twice and drove in two runs for Atlanta.
The Brew Crew are coming home after a disappointing 4-5 road trip, but still lead the NL Central by 2.5 games over the St. Louis Cardinals. The trip ended on a high-note however, with a 7-3 win at the Miami Marlins behind a solid outing from Brandon Woodruff. Kolten Wong led the offense, going 2-for-2 with a home run, a single, three walks and two runs scored, while Rowdy Tellez went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
Pitchers: Braves – Ian Anderson (3-1, 4.20) | Brewers – Freddy Peralta (2-1, 4.40)
Ian Anderson is a perfect 3-0 on the road this season and will start Monday’s game in Milwaukee. The righty is coming off a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox at home, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing seven hits and three earned runs while walking one and fanning four. Anderson faced the Brewers twice last season, allowing one run over 11 innings of work with 10 strikeouts.
Freddy Peralta will get the nod for the Brewers and has been solid after a rough outing on April 15 against St. Louis. Since then, Milwaukee is 3-1 in Peralta’s last four outings including a 5-4 at Cincinnati last Tuesday. He allowed one run, while striking out eight over 5 2/3 innings. Peralta has made four appearances, including three starts, against the Braves, going 2-1 with a 4.41 ERA.
The Brewers struggled on their recent road trip, but have the best home record in the National League at 10-4. Peralta has been terrific over his last four starts and should be able to control a struggling Atlanta lineup, who again might not have Ronald Acuna, Jr.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Brewers -125
