The Atlanta Braves are looking for a redo of 2021. In that season, star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL. But thanks to a mid-season trade for soon-to-be World Series MVP Jorge Soler, the Braves won the championship.
Earlier this season, Acuña tore his other ACL. On Monday, they traded for Soler again. This time, Atlanta is sending pitcher Tyler Matzek and infielder Sabin Ceballos to the San Francisco Giants for Soler and pitcher Luke Jackson. Getting the band back together doesn’t always work, but Soler had 12 home runs and 36 extra base hits in 93 games this season in San Francisco, and he will provide some much needed power in Atlanta.
Despite losing Acuña for the season, as well as starting pitcher Spencer Strider, the Braves are currently the top wild card team in the National League.
The Braves are +600 to win the National League and +1200 to win the World Series.
Milwaukee Brewers Add Pitching Help
The Milwaukee Brewers are in first place in the National League Central and they have the third-best record in the N.L. But they need pitchers in the worst way. Frankie Montas, who signed with the Cincinnati Reds this off-season and was their Opening Day starter, is now in Milwaukee. In exchange, the Reds get reliever Jakob Junis and outfielder Joey Wiemer.
The Brewers rotation has been decimated by injuries, and when Montas starts in Milwaukee, he will be the 17th different pitcher to start a game this season for the Brewers. That is a franchise record, and we still have two months to go.
Montas struggled with the Reds, and never lived up to what Cincinnati was expecting. His ERA is 5.01 and his walk rate has been the highest of his career. Perhaps joining a contender will turn his season around. But at the very least, he will give Milwaukee desperately needed innings down the stretch.
The Brewers have the fourth-shortest odds to win the National League at +800.
Milwaukee Brewers Add Pitching Help
In the American League West, the Seattle Mariners have been caught by the Houston Astros. Now that they are in the heart of a division race, the Astros are going for it.
Coming to Houston is starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, and on their way to the Toronto Blue Jays are starting pitcher Jake Bloss, outfielder Joey Loperfido, and infielder Will Wagner. All three were considered top prospects in the Astros organization, and all three give Blue Jays fans something to be excited about for the future.
It’s an overpay, to be sure. Kikuchi is a rental for the next two months, and maybe he gets a playoff start if he really looks good down the stretch. But the Astros have appeared in seven consecutive American League Championship Series because they aren’t afraid to take big swings. This is another one, and this front office has earned the benefit of the doubt.
The Astros are currently +650 to win the American League pennant.
Cleveland Guardians Make Move
The Cleveland Guardians have been the leaders in the American League Central since April 14th. But the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals won’t go away. Both are wild card teams at the moment, but both also have designs on catching Cleveland atop of the division.
It will be tougher for those teams now that Cleveland has acquired Lane Thomas from the Washington Nationals. The outfielder gives the Guardians a much needed right-handed bat for their lineup, as well as good speed. He had 28 stolen bases for the Nationals this season, and his OPS is .738.
In exchange for Thomas, the Nationals got left-handed pitching prospect Alex Clemmey, shortstop Rafael Ramirez Jr., and infielder José Tena.
The Guardians are -225 to win A.L. Central.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
