The Kansas City Royals vs Braves are set to take on the Atlanta this Friday, September 27, at 7:20 p.m. ET at Truist Park, Atlanta. Broadcast live on BSKC, this much-anticipated matchup positions the Braves as favorites, with the odds leaning heavily in their favor. The Royals’ money line sits at +150, while the Braves are pegged at -174, as light rain and temperatures hovering around 75°F are expected to set the stage for the game.
Sportsbooks paint a competitive picture for the evening, with an over/under set at 7.5 runs and a run line of 1.5. A quick glance at the odds across New York betting apps reveals slight variances:
- FanDuel: Braves -174, Royals +146, O/U 7.5
- BetMGM: Braves -185, Royals +150, O/U 7.5
- Caesars: Braves -190, Royals +158, O/U 7.5
- Fanatics: Braves -180, Royals +155, O/U 7.5
As with all betting lines, these numbers are subject to last-minute adjustments.
Injury Watch:
The Royals will be without key players like reliever Will Smith (back spasms, 15-day IL) and Chris Stratton (right forearm strain, 15-day IL), while Josh Taylor (left biceps nerve injury) remains on the 60-day IL. Other notable absences include Hunter Harvey (back tightness, 15-day IL) and Michael Lorenzen (lower body fatigue), who’s questionable for his next start.
On the Braves’ side, starter Reynaldo López (shoulder inflammation, 15-day IL) is expected to return later this month, but notable absences include Austin Riley (hand fracture, 10-day IL) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (ACL tear, 60-day IL), both out for the season. Other players missing in action are A.J. Minter (hip surgery) and Huascar Ynoa (elbow stress reaction).
Team Form:
The Royals (85-74) have seen their fair share of struggles, winning only three of their last 10 games. Their recent series against the Nationals, however, has provided a glimmer of hope, with back-to-back shutout victories (7-0 and 3-0), showcasing solid pitching and a respectable .229 team batting average. Currently riding a three-game winning streak, they rank fifth in the AL Central.
Meanwhile, the Braves (86-71) sit third in the NL East and have won six of their last 10 games. They enter the contest off the back of a three-game win streak, eager to continue their momentum from their last series against the Mets.
Players to Watch:
For Kansas City, Bobby Witt Jr. remains the linchpin of the Royals’ offense, leading in batting average, home runs, RBIs, and runs. Maikel Garcia, meanwhile, spearheads the team in stolen bases. Key contributors from their recent triumphs against the Nationals include Hunter Renfroe, Adam Frazier, and Salvador Perez.
On the Braves’ side, Marcell Ozuna is their standout, dominating the stat sheets in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. Whit Merrifield leads the charge in stolen bases. Pitching-wise, Max Fried is set to start the opener against the Royals, while Reynaldo Lopez could play a pivotal role in future matchups depending on his recovery.
This clash between the Royals vs Braves promises to be a thrilling showdown, as both teams look to extend their winning streaks in what has been an intense season.
