Padres vs. Braves prediction and odds for Friday April 7

Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves were able to take a close one from the San Diego Padres out in southern California, 7-6. That took Atalanta to 6-1 on the season, one of the best starts of any team in the MLB. San Diego has had a bit of a slow start, especially for a team that thinks of itself as a World Series contender this year. The Padres are 3-4 and have lost two straight. 

Today, Nick Martinez takes the hill for San Diego, looking to get them back into the win column and not let this subpar play continue. He’ll be opposed by Jared Shuster, the rookie left-hander that the Braves hope to be the next great young pitcher in their staff. 

With their great start, the Braves are favorites on the road tonight. 

Shuster got roughed up by the Nationals in his MLB debut and that is the lone loss of the Braves season so far. He went 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits and five walks with just one strikeout. That doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence, but obviously is just one outing and he could show why he’s considered a top prospect today. 

Nick Martinez on the other side went deep into his first start, seven innings, but he also gave up four runs on six hits. He did have five strikeouts to just two walks. Those are much better indicators for what we will get in this start. He missed a few bats and had solid control, unlike Shuster. 

Both lineups are hitting well to start the year, though Atlanta has scored eight more runs than San Diego so far.

The Padres’ newest addition, Xander Bogaerts is acclimating nicely to the southern California sun with a 1.273 OPS and three home runs so far. Last season he had a 1.038 OPS against lefties and got on base nearly half the time. I think he’ll have a big day against Shuster and San Diego is a good bet as a home underdog. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change