The Atlanta Braves Will Not Go Away Quietly!
By: BOB ACTON

Every year, all of us bettors peruse the newspapers, magazines and internet searching for a team that will give us a nice return on our investment. I would love to be able to tell you all that for the past 14 seasons, from 1991-2005, I have wagered on the Atlanta Braves at the start of every year to win the division title. Had I wagered a $100 in 1991 on the Braves to win the pennant and then parlayed it every year for the past 14, I would probably be listed in Forbes magazine as one of the richest men in North America.

This season the Braves have been up against it, most notably with a very talented New York Mets team, and their reign atop the ladder of the NL East division is over. But this persistent bunch has put aside that reality and now is making a run at the wild card spot in the underachieving National League.

They presently sit 3 games back of the Phillies and the Padres and after their game against the Giants tonight, they head to Philadelphia for a huge 4-game series. Heading into the last 30 games of the year, the team that captures the wild card berth will need their big players to play huge. Adam LaRoche is 7-for-9 with five RBIs in the series against San Francisco (65-68). Since the All-Star break the first baseman is batting .368 (49-for-133) with 14 homers and 38 RBIs as Atlanta has climbed back into the wild card picture.

The team’s fortunes will ride on the success of their starting pitching, however. Not to mention John Smoltz (12-6, 3.36 ERA) who has been nearly automatic since the beginning of July winning eight of his last nine decisions. Since July 3rd, the 39-year-old right-hander is 8-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 11 starts. He's also allowed fewer than two runs in six of those outings. Good to know when you’re baseball betting.

Smoltz will oppose another veteran Matt Morris (9-11, 4.47) who looks to duplicate his last start for San Francisco. The right-hander snapped a four-game losing streak by throwing a three-hitter in a 4-1 win over Cincinnati on Friday. I won that bet at my sportsbook. Hope you did too.

Morris is 1-5 with a 3.11 ERA in 12 career games against Atlanta and has received just an average of 2.54 runs of support in those contests.

I suggest you lay the -178 and back the Braves tonight! It’s sports betting at its finest.

Bob Acton

Sports Betting

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