Angels vs. Braves: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks

The Los Angeles Angels seek to continue the momentum against the Atlanta Braves on the road as they clash in Game 2 of their three-game set. The visitors overwhelmed the hosts in the opening game, 4-0, as they drew first blood in the series.

Ace Yusei Kikuchi will make his 18th start of the season for the Halos. The Japanese veteran holds a 3-6 record with a 2.79 ERA and 99 strikeouts this year. The Braves, on the other hand, will start neophyte pitcher Didier Fuentes to battle Kikuchi. The 20-year-old has posted a 10.80 ERA and has yet to record a win in MLB across two starts.

Angels vs. Braves recent form and records

The Halos have once again reached the .500 mark after going as low as 17-25 in May. They're in third place in the AL West with a 42-42 record and have won six of their last 10 games.

Atlanta, on the other hand, is plummeting down the NL East table with a 38-46 record. In spite of the return of the team's superstars such as Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider, the Braves have failed to garner any momentum and are 7.5 games out of the wild-card spots.

Angels vs. Braves odds

Money Line: LAA (+110), ATL (-120)

Run Spread: LAA +1.5 (-182), ATL -1.5 (+154)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (-110), U 8.5 (-110)

Angels vs. Yankees injuries

LAA injury report

Anthony Rendon (3B): 60-day IL (hip)
Ben Joyce (RP): 60-day IL (shoulder)
Robert Stephenson (RP): 15-day IL (bicep)
Chris Taylor (CF): 10-day IL (hand)
Yoan Moncada (3B): 10-day IL (knee)

ATL injury report

Chris Sale (SP): 15-day IL (rib)
AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-day IL (torn UCL)
Daysbel Hernandez (RP): 15-day IL (forearm)
Reynaldo Lopez (SP): 60-day IL (shoulder)
Joe Jimenez (RP): 60-day IL (knee)
Royber Salinas: (RP): Day-to-day (shoulder)

Angels vs. Braves projected lineup

LAA projected lineup

Zach Neto (SS)
Nolan Schanuel (1B)
Mike Trout (DH)
Taylor Ward (LF)
Jo Adell (CF)
Jorge Soler (RF)
Logan O'Hoppe (C)
Luis Rengifo (3B)
Christian Moore (2B)
Yusei Kikuchi (SP, 3-6 | 2.79 ERA | 99 K)

ATL starting lineup

Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF)
Matt Olson (1B)
Marcell Ozuna (DH)
Austin Riley (3B)
Jurickson Profar (LF)
Ozzie Albies (2B)
Sean Murphy (C)
Eli White (CF)
Nick Allen (SS)
Didier Fuentes (SP, 0-2 | 10.80 ERA | 4 K)

Angels vs. Braves picks and game prediction

The Braves are poised for a bounce-back game with the bookmakers giving them a slight edge in the matchup. However, with an unproven starter, the Angels should take Game 2 and the series victory on the road amid their opponents' offensive struggles.

Run Line: LAA +1.5 (-182)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (-110)

Prediction: LAA wins, 7-3

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago

Angels vs. Braves: Game 2 prediction, odds, injuries and picks - July 2, 2025