Game 1 of the 2021 World Series begins today at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
The Atlanta Braves make their first World Series appearance of the century, while the Houston Astros enter the tournament for the third time in five seasons.
Tennessee sportsbooks situate Atlanta with a disadvantage going into the final series, but they haven’t ruled them out altogether just yet.
Braves vs. Astros World Series Game 1 betting odds
This year’s annual race for the top MLB team has been whittled down to two remaining contenders. The Braves beat out the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League, and the American League’s Astros bested the Boston Red Sox for a spot in the conclusive Fall Classic.
The Astros have secured wins during 64% of their home games this season, leading sportsbooks to favor them coming into this matchup with moneyline odds.
The Braves trail behind with odds, suggesting that operators haven’t ruled Atlanta out just yet.
The game’s spread currently puts the Braves at a -run deficit.
Taking each team’s previous matchups into account, sportsbooks set this game’s over/under at runs.
Atlanta’s previous 20 games have seen an average of 7.8 runs between the team and its opponents.
Houston’s last 20 faceoffs, though, have averaged a slightly higher 10.2 runs per game. The Astros hit the over during 57% of their games this season.
Braves vs. Astros history
These two former National League rivals have met each other over 700 times since each team’s inception. However, their history against one another tapered off in the recent era after Houston transitioned to the American League in 2013.
Their most recent regular-season faceoff came in 2017 when the Astros won four-consecutive games against Atlanta.
This year, Houston logged a slightly better regular season with a 95-67 record compared to Atlanta’s 88-73, giving the Astros the initial home-field advantage.
The series then shifts to Atlanta’s home turf of Truist Park for Games 3 and 4.
This will be Houston’s third trip to the World Series in five seasons. The Braves, on the other hand, haven’t seen a World Series since 1999 when the New York Yankees ultimately defeated them in a 4-0 shutout.
It’s been even longer since the Braves last won a World Series pennant, dating back to 1995 against the Cleveland Indians.
Current World Series betting odds for the Braves and Astros sit at:
Sportsbook World Series betting promos
Those looking to add a bit of a boost to betting on the World Series in Tennessee can find various options at local online sportsbooks.
Caesars Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook Tennessee offers an impressive handful of Braves-oriented boosts, each with a max bet of $100. For instance, users can snag+100 odds on the Braves to lead after the fifth inning and +500 odds on them winning by 4 or more runs in Game 1.
Odds of Houston’s Yordan Alvarez and Atlanta’s Austin Riley to both hit a home run sit at +1200.
The chance of the Braves winning Game 1 and team member Eddie Rosario logging a home run sits at +800 odds.
Caesars bettors can also cash in on the Diamond Bonus, which allows users to snag a $50 bonus bet to use on the NBA or NHL by wagering $50 on Game 1 of the World Series.
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM Tennessee is also offering Braves World Series betting boosts, giving Freddie Freeman +425 odds of scoring two or more runs and +135 odds on the Braves to score five or more runs.
Users can find +250 odds on Atlanta winning the overall title in six games or less.
In addition, those who wager $25 or more on the moneyline of a World Series game will receive a $2 bonus bet for every home run hit during that game, regardless of whether the initial bet wins or loses.
Game 1 starting pitchers
A look at each team’s Game 1 starting pitchers gives bettors a preview of the matchup.
Atlanta’s Charlie Morton pitched in the World Series three times in the last five years, first for the Astros, next for the Tampa Bay Rays, and now for the Braves. He pitched for the Astros in 2017 and 2018, securing the final victory for Houston in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series as he threw the final four innings against the Dodgers.
Morton faced the Dodgers once again last Tuesday, earning an overall 3.77 ERA and 19 strikeouts during his three postseason starts.
The Astros will start left-hander Framber Valdez, who tops the list when it comes to postseason starts. During the eight innings he pitched in the ALCS Game 5 against the Boston Red Sox, he gave up only one run. His three postseason starts have resulted in a 4.20 ERA for the pitcher.
Braves fans betting on the World Series can tune into Fox beginning Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 8:09 p.m. ET to stream the entire faceoff.
