Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves: Preview, Predictions and Picks for September 28, 2024

Published on:
Sep 28, 2024 6:14 AM
The Kansas City Royals travel to Truist Park to face the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 7:20 PM, looking to even the series after dropping the opener. The Braves, riding a 1-0 series lead, aim to capitalize on their strong home record (44-33) and extend their advantage. In a critical late-season matchup, both teams will battle to gain valuable ground in their respective divisions.
Written by
Optimal Staff
Kansas City Royals
Atlanta Braves

Royals vs Braves starting pitchers

  • Reynaldo Lopez for Atlanta Braves
  • Seth Lugo for Kansas City Royals

Royals vs Braves statistics

Stat Royals Braves
Hits 1335 (12th) 1302 (17th)
Batting Average .249 (8th) .243 (15th)
Runs Batted In 707 (10th) 661 (15th)
Runs 730 (13th) 690 (16th)
Home Runs 168 (21st) 209 (4th)
Walks 423 (28th) 470 (19th)
Stolen Bases 134 (10th) 66 (29th)
Strikeouts 1134 (29th) 1424 (11th)
Pitches 22481 (27th) 23326 (17th)

Atlanta Braves recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
9/27/24 vs Kansas City Royals W 3-0
9/24/24 vs New York Mets W 5-1
9/22/24 @ Miami Marlins W 5-4
9/21/24 @ Miami Marlins W 6-2
9/20/24 @ Miami Marlins L 4-3

Kansas City Royals recent games

Game Date Opponent Result Score
9/27/24 @ Atlanta Braves L 3-0
9/26/24 @ Washington Nationals W 7-4
9/25/24 @ Washington Nationals W 3-0
9/24/24 @ Washington Nationals W 1-0 F/10
9/22/24 vs San Francisco Giants L 2-0

Royals vs Braves predictions

As the Kansas City Royals gear up to clash with the Atlanta Braves, eyes are inevitably drawn to several key players whose performances could heavily impact the game's outcome. Bobby Witt Jr. is coming into this matchup with a fantastic season behind him, boasting a batting average of .332, and we can realistically expect him to be a critical factor in driving runs for the Royals. Alongside him, Salvador Perez, with his dependable knack for bringing runners home and an impressive tally of RBIs, should also make significant contributions at the plate. Given the steady season stats of these players, there's good reason to anticipate they will come up big in critical moments.

On the flip side, the Atlanta Braves have formidable talent to answer back. Marcell Ozuna, with a .308 batting average and a hefty 39 home runs, is prepared to challenge any pitcher the Royals place on the mound, possibly altering the dynamics of the game with a swing or two. Furthermore, Ozzie Albies, known for his ability to get on base and catalyze scoring opportunities, should not be overlooked. The synergy between his batting and Ozuna's power could very well orchestrate some eye-catching plays that swing momentum in favor of the Braves.

Given the strong lineup and consistent performances from both teams, predicting a clear winner isn't straightforward. However, considering the home-field advantage and the depth in batting and pitching that the Atlanta Braves bring to the table, they might just have the edge in this matchup. Of course, baseball is unpredictable, and the Royals are more than capable of an upset, especially with their top hitters peaking at the right time. But if I had to put my money on it, I'd lean towards a narrow Braves victory, all aspects considered.

Atlanta Braves injuries

  • Reynaldo Lopez (SP): 15-Day-IL
  • Huascar Ynoa (SP): 60-Day-IL
  • A.J. Minter (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Tyler Tolve (C): Day-To-Day
  • Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF): 60-Day-IL

Kansas City Royals injuries

  • Will Smith (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Josh Taylor (RP): 60-Day-IL
  • Chris Stratton (RP): 15-Day-IL
  • Michael Lorenzen (SP): Day-To-Day
  • Vinnie Pasquantino (1B): 10-Day-IL

Royals vs Braves game info

Venue Truist Park
Location Atlanta, Georgia
First pitch Sat 7:20 PM
Temperature 75°
Chance of Rain 0%

Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Odds

Real-time odds powered by Optimal

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