MLB Odds: Angels-Braves prediction, odds and pick

The Angels and Braves are playing each other in the first of a three-game series. Los Angeles is struggling in their first half of the season, while Atlanta is on a winning streak.

The Angels are 10 1/2 games out of the wild card race. They have an advantage with Shohei Ohtani on the mound. The Braves send Charlie Morton to the field. He had a good season last year for the World Series champions. This year he's given up 20 less runs than he did last season. He's 5-4 on this season, but the Braves are 18 games above .500.

Morton has a 3.02 ERA over his last seven starts. He has 60 strikeouts and only 12 walks allowed in 44 2/3 innings.

The Braves have been the better team at the plate this season. Their relievers have an NL-leading 3.14 ERA this year, compared to 4.08 ERA for the Los Angeles bullpen. Austin Riley and Adam Duvall have both been a handful for opposing pitchers at home this month. The Angels have a .520 OPS, 36 runs scored, and .183 batting average this July.

Ohtani is taking the mound for the Angels. It's been over a month since he's given up more than one run in a game. The under is the play here.