Braves vs. Astros Dunkel MLB Picks, Predictions and Prop Bets - Sept. 18

Two of the league's best power hitters go head-to-head when the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros play at Daikin Park, at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday. Matt Olson has 39 homers (fifth in league) for the Braves, and Yordan Alvarez ranks fourth with 40 long balls for the Astros. Tyler Mahle (6-10, 3.91 ERA) will start for the Braves, who are 89-64 this season and first in the NL East. Peter Lambert (8-9, 3.71 ERA) is starting for the Astros, who are 77-76 and first in the AL West.

Sportsbooks expect a close matchup between the Braves (-121 to win) and the Astros (-101). The contest has an over/under set at 8.5.

Braves vs. Astros Odds, Game Time

• Game day: Friday, September 18, 2026
• Game time: 8:10 p.m. ET
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Stadium: Daikin Park
• Favorite: Braves (-121)
• Underdog: Astros (-101)
• Over/under: 8.5

How to Watch Braves vs. Astros

• TV Channel: SCHN and BravesVsn
• Live Stream: Fubo (Watch for free)

Bet now on FanDuel Sportsbook!

Braves vs. Astros: Betting the Moneyline

• The Braves have won 68 of the 108 games they were the moneyline favorite this season (63%).
• Houston has won in 43, or 50.6%, of the 85 contests it has been named as odds-on underdogs in this year.
• Atlanta has a record of 57-33 in games when bookmakers favor them by at least -121 on the moneyline.
• This season, the Astros have come away with a win 33 times in 66 chances when named as an underdog of at least -101 or longer on the moneyline.
• The Braves have a 54.8% chance to win this game based on the moneyline's implied probability.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies the Astros have a 50.2% chance of coming away with a victory in the contest.

Braves vs. Astros: Betting the Spread & Total

• The Braves have had an over/under set by oddsmakers 152 times, and have combined with opponents to go over the total in 71 of those games (71-75-6).
• Houston and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 74 of its 153 opportunities.
• The Braves have collected a 78-74-0 record against the spread this season.
• The Astros are 80-73-0 against the spread in their 153 games with a line set by sportsbooks this season.