The Atlanta Braves host the New York Yankees on Friday, July 18, 2025. First pitch from Truist Park is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET; the game will be broadcast on MLB Network.
The Braves enter this game as -138 favorites on the moneyline with the Yankees sitting at +113 to pull off the upset. The over/under, meanwhile, comes in at 8 total runs.
Find my Yankees vs Braves prediction and MLB betting preview below, as well as probable pitchers, betting trends, injury reports and more.
Yankees vs Braves Prediction, Picks
- Yankees vs. Braves Pick: Yankees ML -110
My Braves vs. Yankees best bet is on New York to win this game. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live MLB odds page.
Yankees vs Braves Odds, Spread, Lines
| Yankees Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -185 | 8 -119o / -102u | +113 |
| Braves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +150 | 8 -119o / -102u | -138 |
Yankees vs Braves Projected Pitchers
Yankees vs Braves MLB Betting Preview
New York Yankees Betting Preview
I think most people figured the Yankees would give Max Fried the ball in their first game back from the All-Star break.
At the time of writing, the Yankees haven’t announced a starter. That likely means it won’t be Fried, or they’re waiting to see if his blister recovers enough to let him go in the series opener. His blister injury forced him to leave his last start versus the Cubs after just three innings.
So, if Fried can’t go, where will the Yankees look? I’d guess it’s Will Warren or Cam Schlittler, as Carlos Rodon tossed an inning in the All-Star Game. The other option would be Marcus Stroman, but I can't see the Yankees handing him the ball to begin the second half.
If Aaron Boone opts for one of his rookie hurlers, expect a steady diet of strikeouts, as Warren posted a 10.57 K/9 in the first half, while Schlitter punched out seven Mariners in his MLB debut.
Following a lackluster offensive performance in June, New York is back to posting elite numbers this month. In July, the Yankees rank second in the MLB with a 135 wRC+, while ranking in the top three in both home runs (23) and isolated power (.229).
Plus, they have a brilliant formula to attack Spencer Strider, as they've struck out just 19% of the time in July. I can't see Strider finding a way to beat a lineup like New York, which hits with power and doesn't strike out.
The Yankees have nine hitters with a 110 wRC+ or better in July. That's no shocker, though, as Aaron Judge leads the way with a 238 wRC+.
They have a real shot to win the American League crown once again if Jazz Chisholm, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger continue hitting like they have this month.
Atlanta Braves Betting Preview
What was the most disappointing team through the first half of the year? The obvious answer is the Atlanta Braves, who sit at 42-53 and are 12.5 games out of first in the NL East.
Strider's sample of 11 starts isn't a small one, so we've seen a solid chunk of what we can expect from the multi-time All-Star.
What we can expect is diminished velocity ranging from 94-97. This dip impacts his overall stuff, which is why Strider's K/9 is 10.80, a number that many players would love.
Strider comes into this outing with a 3.94 ERA, 3.89 xERA and 3.79 FIP. Those are the numbers of a solid three or four starter, rather than the ace he looked like in the past, and the market seems to be a step slow to catch on.
It's slowly happening, but the Braves being just +101 underdogs against the Yankees, even at home, is a bit too much respect for Strider in 2025.
My biggest long-term worry about Strider is how hard teams hit his stuff. Back in his last full year in 2023, Strider ranked in the 61st percentile in average exit velocity. Now, he ranks in the second percentile and has a career-worst 1.17 HR/9 and 1.17 WHIP.
The Braves' offense has fared much better in July than it did in other months. They rank 16th in the MLB with a 102 wRC+.
The offensive improvements coincide with Jurickson Profar returning from his PED suspension, thus replacing Alex Verdugo’s ineffective bat. Profar is second on the Braves' roster with a 134 wRC+ this month.
I'm not a huge fan of Atlanta's approach at the plate. So far in July, the Braves rank 27th with a 5.7% walk rate and seventh-worst in strikeout rate (24%)
Yankees vs Braves Pick, Best Bets
I'll grab the Yankees here, as I plan to fade Strider.
He doesn't match up well against the Yankees' lineup, and the Braves' offense has proven it can really struggle.
Play the Yankees up to -140.
Pick: Yankees ML -110
