The Atlanta Braves host the New York Yankees tonight as a pivotal series kicks off in the Peach State.
Atlanta may be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race, but Friday’s Yankees vs. Braves predictions for July 18 leans toward a bounce-back performance behind Spencer Strider.
Our MLB picks suggest Strider could be the key to Atlanta gaining momentum in the second half of the season.
Yankees vs Braves prediction
My Yankees vs Braves best bet: Spencer Strider Over 7.5 strikeouts (-139 at BetRivers)
Spencer Strider’s return from Tommy John surgery hasn’t gone as the Atlanta Braves hoped, but flashes of his old form show in his strikeout numbers — especially lately.
Two of his last seven starts have reached double-digits in strikeouts, and his six starts in June saw him post roughly a 9.00 K/9 number.
One of those two double-digit outings came against Colorado, and while nobody swings-and-misses quite like the 2025 Rockies, you can begin to throw the New York Yankees in the department of a heavy strikeout team.
One of the most consistent things in Strider’s career has been inducing chase, and he’s starting to get that back to that elite rate. He hasn’t quite reached the heights of 2023 when he posted a 35% rate, or even last season when he allowed a chase contact rate of just 33%, but his last four starts are showing numbers on par with those marks.
That’s an issue for the Bronx Bombers.
With Giancarlo Stanton back and a full sample size, the Yankees are also back to their home-run-or-bust approach. It worked last year, getting them to a World Series, but that approach also means more swings-and-misses.
In the last month, they have the fifth-highest chase and strikeout rates (8.77 per game). Strider can exploit this, especially with some Yankee players possibly sluggish after the All-Star Game.
Yankees vs Braves same-game parlay (SGP)
Spencer Strider Over 7.5 strikeouts
Oswald Peraza Over 1.5 strikeouts
Aaron Judge Over 0.5 walks
Oswald Peraza has the Yankees’ highest chase rate, making success against Strider tough.
Aaron Judge, on the other hand, has one of the lowest chase rates and could capitalize on Strider’s occasional wild pitches.
Yankees vs Braves odds
Yankees vs Braves live odds
Yankees vs Braves opening odds
- Moneyline: New York -120 | Atlanta +100
- Run line: New York -1.5 | Atlanta +1.5
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Yankees vs Braves trend
The Yankees have hit the Under in 47 of their last 81 games (+11.92 Units / 13% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Braves.
How to watch Yankees vs Braves and game info
| Location | Truist Park, Atlanta, GA |
| Date | Friday, 7-18-2025 |
| First pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES, FDSNSO |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Ian Hamilton (1-0, 3.47 ERA) |
| Braves starting pitcher | Spencer Strider (3-7, 3.94 ERA) |
Yankees vs Braves latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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