3 Bold Predictions for Braves vs. Astros World Series Game 1
![Charlie Morton will get the start for the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the World Series. Charlie Morton will get the start for the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the World Series.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_142/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01fjwx5tjtgbx6c31n61.jpg)
The World Series is finally here. While not many people will be surprised to see the Houston Astros back in the Fall Classic for the third time in the past five years, the Atlanta Braves winning the National League was a shocking result for baseball fans and bettors across the country.
The Astros are set as -128 (bet $128 to profit $100) in Game 1 on Tuesday night, while the Braves will enter the opening game as +118 (bet $100 to profit $118) underdogs. The total for Game 1 is set at eight runs.
Here are my three bold predictions for Game 1 of the 2021 World Series. All odds listed are via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Bold Predictions for Braves vs Astros Game 1
- Ozzie Albies to Hit a Home Run +485
- OVER 8.5 runs +100
- Charlie Morton UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts -110
Exclusive offer. Bet $1, Win $100 if a strikeout is pitched in that game. . dark
Ozzie Albies to Hit a Home Run +485
Ozzie Albies has yet to hit a home run yet this postseason, but he’s more than due to get a dinger in the playoffs. He hit the third most regular season home runs for the Braves with 30, behind only Freddie Freeman (31) and Austin Riley (33).
Despite hitting only three fewer home runs in the regular season than Riley, you can get much better value betting on Albies at +485 than Riley at +385.
As a side not, he's also my dark horse pick to win World Series MVP.
OVER 8.5 Runs +100
The total for the game is set at eight runs, but I’m going to get slightly more aggressive and sell the hook for some extra betting value at +100.
The Astros had one of the best offenses in MLB in the regular season, ranking second in OPS at .783, and they’ve followed it up by making it rain in the postseason. They’ve scored at least five runs in nine of their 10 postseason games.
The Braves bats have also got hot recently, putting up at least four runs in four of their six games against the Dodgers, who had the best team ERA in the regular season.
Charlie Morton UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts -110
It might be tough for me to convince you to take the under 4.5 strikeouts on Charlie Morton, considering he’s thrown for at least five in all three of his playoff starts this season. The difference is that now he’s facing the Astros, who had the lowest strikeout percentage in the Majors this season at 19.6%.
Even if he has a solid start, don’t expect many strikeouts from Morton on Tuesday night.