The Kansas City Royals (85-75) and Atlanta Braves (87-71) play the middle contest of a 3-game interleague series on Saturday at Truist Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's 24/7 MLB odds Royals vs. Braves Opportunities and meet our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Braves lead 1-0; Atlanta went 3-0 in 2023

The Braves miraculously played Friday night despite severe flooding in the Atlanta area due to the recent Hurricane Helene. Atlanta took a 3-0 win (-178) as the heavy favorite while the under (7.5) came through.

With the 8-4 loss to the New York Mets in Milwaukee, the Braves moved into a tie with the Mets at 87-71 with four games remaining for each team, including a make-up doubleheader on Monday.

RHP Reynaldo Lopez (Shoulder) returns from injury to start. He was limited to just 25 pitches in his last start at Washington on September 10th.

With Minnesota's loss on Friday, the Royals secured a postseason berth. While Kansas City is just 3-8 in its last 11 games since September 15th, it has allowed just 9 runs, or 1.8 runs per game (RPG), in its last 5 games due to no longer keeping an eye on its pitching staff was retained. The minors are 4-1 in their last 5 games for the Royals, while they are 18-6-1 in their last 25 games.

The Royals at Braves planned starters

RHP Seth Lugo vs RHP Reynaldo Lopez

Lugo (16-9, 3.03 ERA) is making his 33rd start. He has a WHIP of 1.09, 2.1 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 204 2/3 IP.

• Last start: Loss, 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K in a 2-0 home setback to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday
• 2024 road breakdown: 9-3, 2.67 ERA, 97 2/3 IP, 29 ER, 79 H, 8 HR, 2 BB, 95 K, .218 opponent batting average (OBA), 1.03 WHIP in 15 starts
• Last 7 games: 3-2, 3.00 ERA (45 IP, 15 ER), 41 H, 8 BB, 43 K, 1.09 WHIP
• Career vs. Braves: 5-5, 3.79 ERA (57 IP, 24 ER), 54 H, 7 HR, 19 BB, 54 K, 1.28 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 28 appearances (4 starts )

Lopez (8-5, 2.03 ERA) is making his 25th start. He has a WHIP of 1.15, 2.9 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 128 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No decision, 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K in a 12-0 road win over the Washington Nationals on September 10 (25 pitches)
• 2024 home division: 4-2, 1.82 ERA, 74 IP, 15 ER, 6 HR, 28 BB, 84 K, .211 OBA, 1.14 WHIP in 13 starts
• Last 7 games: 1-2, 2.45 ERA (33 IP, 9 ER), 28 H, 8 BB, 42 K, 1.09 WHIP
• Career vs. Royals: 5-5, 5.24 ERA (87 2/3 IP, 51 ER), 106 H, 20 HR, 24 BB, 65 K, 1.48 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 in 26 appearances (14 starts)

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Royals at Braves odds

Powered by BetMGM Sportsbook; Visit the USA TODAY sports scores and sports betting hub for a complete list of MLB odds. Lines were last updated at 11:50 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Royals +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Braves -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
• Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-130) | Braves -1.5 (+105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Royals at Braves tips and predictions

forecast

Braves 4, Royals 3

Money line

The Brave (-210) are worth a look as favorites in the 2nd game of this crucial series. Atlanta will have to keep up with New York as the two NL East rivals fight for a playoff spot.

The Royals (+170) haven't been playing great baseball lately anyway, but now that they've secured a playoff spot, they won't be playing with the same urgency as the home team.

Running Line/Against the Spread

Kansas City +1.5 (-130) will probably score, but putting $1.30 on the Royals isn't recommended when they've just secured a playoff spot.

HAPPENand if you like KC, just play it straight with plus money.

Over/Under

UNDER 8 (-115) is worth a look in a game that should have a playoff feel.

Plus, Kansas City has been all about the under lately: 4-1 in their last five games and 18-6-1 in their last 25 games. The minors were also 4-1 in Lugo's last five appearances.

The Braves' record in their last five games is 4-0-1.

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