Atlanta Braves vs Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: A contest of two inconsistent sides

On Wednesday, MLB action will take place at Truist Park, featuring a matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves. The Arizona Diamondbacks just finished a weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays, in which they lost all three games. The Chicago White Sox defeated the Atlanta Braves in their most recent series, winning two out of three games.

On Friday, the Atlanta Braves prevailed over the Chicago White Sox by a score of 9-0. However, Atlanta would go on to lose both Saturday's game by a score of 6-5 and the final game by a score of 8-1. Kolby Allard, the starting pitcher for the Braves, threw 1.2 innings on Sunday, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while also walking one batter. On Wednesday, the Braves will go with Bryce Elder as their starting pitcher. Elder has made 18 starts so far this season and has a record of 7-2 with a 2.97 earned run average and 80 strikeouts in 106.0 innings pitched. In 28 career games, 27 of which he started, Elder has a record of 9-6 with a 3.04 earned run average. In 28 of their previous 35 games, the Atlanta Braves have covered the money line, and in 16 of their last 20 games, they have covered the run line. In 34 of their last 83 games, the Atlanta Braves have seen the total score go under.

The Arizona Diamondbacks struggled against the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, losing all three games by scores of 7-2, 5-2, and 7-5. Tommy Henry, the starting pitcher for Arizona, went 4.1 innings in the game's finale on Sunday. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk. Zach Davies is going to take the field for the Diamondbacks in the game on Wednesday as the team's starting pitcher. In 11 starts thus far this season, Davies has a record of 1-5 with a 6.37 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 53.2 innings. In 193 career starts, Davies has a record of 59-58 with a 4.25 earned run average. The Arizona Diamondbacks have covered the run line in 53 of the last 91 games they've played, and they've covered the money line in 52 of the last 93 games they've played. Ten of the Arizona Diamondbacks' most recent 14 games have ended with a score of three runs or less.

I'm thinking of taking a chance on the Arizona Diamondbacks in this game. Davies' performance during his previous three starts hasn't been terrible by any means. During that time, he has pitched a total of 18.0 innings, during which he has allowed seven earned runs, 11 hits, and six walks. During Elder's most recent start, which took place against Tampa Bay on July 9, he allowed seven earned runs, on top of six hits and four walks. Elder should be able to get back on track and have a stronger effort here, but if the Diamondbacks hitters can get going early, Davies should be able to keep things manageable on the other side of the coin.