Texas Rangers vs Atlanta Braves | Predictions, Preview, Odds & Free Pick - June 18, 2011 | Sportsbookbuzz.com

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Texas Rangers vs. Atlanta Braves MLB Pick

The Texas Rangers will look to get back on track in Game 2 of their three-game interleague series with the Atlanta Braves who want to avoid sliding further behind the division leading Phillies as the teams inch closer to the midpoint of the 2011 season.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 18, 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Turner Field in Atlanta, GA.

Broadcast: FOX
Texas Rangers vs. Atlanta Braves Betting Lines
Money Line: Rangers Even, Braves -120
Spread: Braves -1.5
Over/Under: 8

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Texas entered the weekend series amid the team’s longest losing streak of the season that reached five after losing 3-2 to the Yankees in 12-innings on Thursday night.

During their skid, the Rangers offense has seen its share of woes, hitting a dismal .198 with just a single home run. The whole lineup is underachieving at the moment, and will look to take advantage of right-handed veteran starter Derek Lowe who is 3-3 with a 2.91 ERA against the Rangers in five career starts, and is set to toe the rubber for Atlanta in Game 2 on Saturday evening.

Lowe is winless over his last six starts, during which he has compiled a 4.37 ERA suffering his most recent loss on Monday, as the Braves fell to the Astros, 8-3. He pitched 5.1 innings and allowed five runs, eight hits, and three walks to go along with two strikeouts. Lowe has struggled with control, increasing his pitch count early in games, resulting in seeing action only once beyond six innings this season.

The 38-year old has a 1.34 WHIP and will need to start limiting the amount of runners he is allowing if he is going to pitch deeper into games.

One of those most likely to benefit from Lowes’ struggles, is reigning AL MVP slugger Josh Hamilton who has historically done well against NL teams. He has hit safely in 23 straight interleague games and is batting .528 with four homers and 14 RBIs in his last 12.

Meanwhile, Atlanta avoided a season-high fourth straight defeat Thursday against the Mets, sending the game to extra innings with Brooks Conrad’s two-run homer in the ninth. Then New York gift-wrapped a victory in the 10^th, walking home the winning run to give the Braves a 9-8 win.

However, the win did come at a high cost, as third basemen Chipper Jones, who had three hits and matched a career-high with five RBIs in the contest, left in the ninth with a strained adductor muscle in his right leg, and is listed as day-to-day.

The loss is a huge blow to line up that has already been without Martin Prado.

However, there is some good news for the Braves, who introduced slugger Jason Heyward back into the lineup on Wednesday against the Mets. Heyward, who had been out since May 22 due to an inflamed right shoulder, went 1-for-6, but looked like he felt no pain.

Ironically, Atlanta will face former prospect Matt Harrison for the first time since being sent to Texas for Mark Teixeira in a four-player deal back in July 2007. The 25-year old out of Durham, NC., is 5-6 with a 3.71 ERA this year.

He left his start at Minnesota last weekend after being hit by a line drive above his pitching elbow, resulting in a bruised triceps muscle. Harrison was cleared for Saturday’s start after he threw a bullpen session with his bruised left triceps, and had no issues.

The odds makers have the Atlanta Braves as a -1.5 point favorite with an run total of 8.

Matt’s Free Prediction: Braves- There is not much history between these two team. However, the Rangers were swept during their lone previous trip to Turner Field, in 2003, and I look for the Braves to win two of three this time around, staring with a win on Saturday.

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