Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Wednesday June 24 2026
Use Code WWWC The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres prepare for an intriguing Wednesday night clash at Petco Park on June 24, 2026, with Atlanta looking to avoid a sweep and San Diego attempting to complete an impressive three-game series victory. This complete preview breaks down the starting pitching matchup, analyzes the best available odds, and delivers our expert betting picks and top MLB player props for tonight's contest.
Best Available Odds
Best Moneyline Odds: Atlanta Braves (-124 at DraftKings) / San Diego Padres (+115 at BetMGM)
Best Spread Odds: Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+137 at DraftKings) / San Diego Padres +1.5 (-155 at BetMGM)
Best Total Odds: Over 8.5 (+100 at FanDuel) / Under 8.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
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Game Info
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 8:40 PM EDT
Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
TV: Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health, BravesVision
Atlanta Braves vs San Diego Padres Preview
The Atlanta Braves enter Wednesday at 48-30 after losing the first two games of this three-game series. Atlanta was shut out 1-0 in Monday's opener before suffering a 7-6 walk-off loss in 10 innings Tuesday.
The consecutive losses have reduced Atlanta's divisional lead and continued a difficult stretch for a team that still owns one of the best records in the National League.
Monday's loss was defined by missed scoring opportunities. The Braves collected seven hits against Michael King and the San Diego bullpen but failed to score, leaving several runners aboard during the middle innings.
Austin Riley produced three hits Monday, but the remainder of the lineup could not capitalize. Atlanta's only major mistake came when Manny Machado hit a hanging slider from Grant Holmes for the game's only run.
The Braves generated much more offense Tuesday. Atlanta scored four times during the second inning and briefly led 4-0 before San Diego answered with five runs during the bottom half.
Rowdy Tellez opened the scoring with a two-run single. Michael Harris II followed with an RBI double, while Matt Olson drew a bases-loaded walk.
Harris finished 3-for-5 and continued one of his strongest offensive stretches of the season. His combination of contact, speed, and gap power has given Atlanta another dependable option near the top of the lineup.
Ozzie Albies tied the game with an RBI double during the fourth inning before Mauricio Dubón restored Atlanta's lead with a solo home run in the fifth.
The Braves carried that 6-5 advantage into the seventh inning, but Fernando Tatis Jr. tied the game with his second extra-base hit of the night.
Atlanta failed to score during the final five innings. Machado then ended the game by singling home automatic runner Jackson Merrill during the bottom of the 10th.
The result dropped Atlanta to 48-30. The Braves have now lost three consecutive games and are trying to prevent their West Coast trip from turning into a more significant slide.
Atlanta remains one of baseball's more dangerous offensive teams despite its recent inconsistency. The Braves possess power throughout the lineup and can generate runs through both home runs and sustained contact.
Olson remains the primary home-run threat. He enters with 20 home runs and more than 50 RBIs while again producing elite hard-contact and barrel rates.
The left-handed matchup against JP Sears does not automatically neutralize Olson. He has handled southpaws throughout his career and has produced substantial road power during the 2026 season.
Riley gives Atlanta its most important right-handed power bat against Sears. His ability to punish fastballs and breaking pitches from left-handers creates one of the clearest individual advantages in the matchup.
Albies can turn around to the right side against Sears. His contact ability and speed provide Atlanta with another hitter capable of creating pressure before Olson and Riley receive their opportunities.
Dubón should also receive an important role against the left-handed starter. He enters after homering Tuesday and has consistently produced contact against southpaws.
Harris, Drake Baldwin, Dominic Smith, Mike Yastrzemski, and potentially Tellez give Atlanta several left-handed hitters. That lineup construction creates a more complicated matchup than Sears' Triple-A ERA alone suggests.
The Braves can counter by using Eli White, Joey Bart, Jorge Mateo, and other right-handed options. Manager Walt Weiss has enough roster flexibility to reduce the number of same-handed plate appearances.
Atlanta remains without Ronald Acuña Jr., who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain. His absence removes an elite combination of power, speed, and on-base ability from the top of the order.
Sean Murphy and several other supporting players have also dealt with injuries. Those absences have forced Atlanta to depend more heavily on Baldwin and its available bench players.
The Braves made several pitching moves before Wednesday's game. Tyler Kinley was activated from the injured list, while JR Ritchie was optioned after starting Tuesday.
Carlos Carrasco was designated for assignment following his appearance in the seventh inning Tuesday. Carrasco allowed Tatis' game-tying home run after being asked to work a second inning.
Kinley's return gives Atlanta another experienced right-handed reliever. He had produced a 2.45 ERA across his previous 12 appearances before elbow inflammation sent him to the injured list.
The Braves bullpen owns a collective 3.16 ERA, the best mark in baseball. Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Kinley, and the remaining available arms give Atlanta one of the league's deepest relief groups.
Tuesday's loss was not caused by a season-long lack of bullpen quality. Atlanta did not deploy several of its preferred relievers before the late innings, and Iglesias ultimately allowed the automatic runner to score in the 10th.
The San Diego Padres enter Wednesday at 41-37 after securing the series victory. San Diego has won two consecutive games and remains firmly involved in the National League Wild Card race.
The Padres have taken the first two games in completely different ways. Monday featured elite starting pitching and a single Machado home run, while Tuesday became a back-and-forth offensive contest.
Machado has delivered the decisive hit in both games. He hit a 418-foot home run Monday before producing the walk-off single Tuesday.
The third baseman has shown signs of emerging from an uneven opening half. His combination of recent hard contact and the platoon advantage against Martín Pérez makes him San Diego's most important hitter Wednesday.
Tatis also enters in improved form. He drove in a run with a double during Tuesday's five-run second inning before hitting the game-tying home run in the seventh.
Tatis remains one of baseball's most dangerous athletes even though his season-long home-run total has been below his established standard. He can create value through contact, speed, stolen bases, and extra-base power.
Jackson Merrill continues to provide production near the top of the lineup. He scored the winning run Tuesday after beginning the 10th inning at second base.
Merrill gives San Diego a dangerous left-handed hitter against Pérez. His ability to handle velocity and drive the ball to all fields prevents Atlanta from focusing exclusively on Machado and Tatis.
Gavin Sheets provides another significant left-handed bat. Sheets can attack Pérez's sinker and changeup whenever the veteran leaves either pitch over the centre of the plate.
Xander Bogaerts has not produced his strongest power numbers, but his contact ability remains valuable. He receives the platoon advantage against Pérez and can extend innings before San Diego reaches the bottom of the lineup.
Will Wagner adds another left-handed hitter capable of working counts. Rodolfo Durán and Samad Taylor complete a lineup that has received meaningful contributions from several replacement players.
Taylor drove in two runs during Tuesday's second inning. Durán also contributed a run-scoring single as San Diego immediately erased Atlanta's four-run advantage.
The Padres have averaged fewer than four runs per game over the full season. Their offense ranks near the bottom of baseball in several major categories, including on-base percentage against left-handed pitching.
San Diego has nevertheless produced enough timely hitting to win this series. Machado, Tatis, Merrill, Sheets, and Bogaerts can punish Atlanta if Pérez loses command or allows traffic near the top of the order.
The Padres are dealing with substantial rotation injuries. Lucas Giolito was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, creating Wednesday's opportunity for Sears.
Germán Márquez, Matt Waldron, Nick Pivetta, Jhony Brito, and Bryan Hoeing are also unavailable or working through rehabilitation programs.
The injuries have forced San Diego to rely heavily on openers, bulk relievers, minor-league call-ups, and frequent roster moves.
The Padres bullpen has helped compensate. San Diego relievers own a collective 3.17 ERA, the second-best mark in baseball behind Atlanta.
Mason Miller remains one of the most dominant late-game pitchers in the league. He threw two perfect innings Tuesday and stranded the potential go-ahead run at third during the 10th.
Miller's two-inning workload may affect his availability Wednesday. San Diego still has Adrian Morejon, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan, and other useful options behind Sears.
The Padres needed extensive bullpen work Tuesday after Griffin Canning recorded only two outs. Kyle Hart provided length before San Diego moved through several relievers.
That workload gives Atlanta an opportunity if Sears cannot pitch beyond the fourth or fifth inning. San Diego's bullpen is excellent, but not every preferred arm will necessarily be available for a normal assignment.
Starting Pitchers and Pitching Matchup
The Braves will start left-hander Martín Pérez, who enters at 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts across 68 innings.
Pérez has become one of Atlanta's most dependable rotation additions. He has won four consecutive decisions and allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts.
The veteran does not rely on elite velocity or overwhelming strikeout production. Pérez succeeds by locating his sinker, changing speeds, producing ground balls, and avoiding damaging contact with runners aboard.
His 56 strikeouts are accompanied by 23 walks. That ratio reflects solid control without suggesting that Pérez can simply overpower hitters whenever he enters trouble.
Pérez is coming off six effective innings against Milwaukee. He allowed one earned run on six hits while recording five strikeouts and throwing 82 pitches.
The outing continued an excellent stretch. Pérez has consistently worked into the sixth inning while giving Atlanta a chance to turn games over directly to its strongest relievers.
His road performance has not been as dominant as his overall line. Pérez owns a road ERA closer to 3.86, compared with his much stronger production at home.
That split still represents a major advantage over Sears' recent Triple-A performance. Pérez has demonstrated that he can retire major-league lineups and protect leads against postseason-calibre opponents.
San Diego has struggled against left-handed pitching. The Padres carry an on-base percentage around .285 in that split, placing them near the bottom of baseball.
The matchup is not completely one-sided. San Diego can use Tatis, Machado, Bogaerts, Taylor, and Durán from the right side.
Machado has enjoyed the most meaningful career success against Pérez. His recent power and ability to drive pitches to centre and right field make him a difficult out even when Pérez keeps the ball away.
Tatis creates a different type of problem. He can turn a ground ball or walk into immediate scoring pressure through his speed.
Pérez must prevent Tatis from reaching ahead of Merrill and Machado. San Diego becomes much more dangerous whenever the top of its order creates traffic before the middle of the lineup.
Merrill and Sheets can attack from the left side. Pérez holds the natural platoon advantage, but both hitters possess enough power to punish mistakes.
The lower portion of the Padres lineup creates strikeout opportunities. Durán, Taylor, and several supporting hitters have produced elevated swing-and-miss rates.
Pérez has recorded at least five strikeouts in several recent appearances. He does not need to become an elite strikeout pitcher to reach that number against San Diego.
The Braves should allow Pérez to work through the lineup three times if he remains effective. Atlanta used several relievers Tuesday but has restored Kinley and should have most of its preferred bullpen structure available.
The Padres will start left-hander JP Sears, who is making his 2026 major-league debut.
Sears was recalled after Giolito reported elbow inflammation. The Padres selected him over Márquez, who will receive at least one more Triple-A rehabilitation start.
The veteran left-hander spent the first half of the season with Triple-A El Paso. He went 4-3 with a 7.92 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts across 63.2 innings.
Those numbers represent significant warning signs. Sears allowed frequent traffic, struggled to limit home runs, and rarely completed efficient innings.
His recent form was even worse than the full-season line. Sears produced an ERA above 11.00 and a WHIP above 2.00 across his final six Triple-A starts before the promotion.
The Pacific Coast League creates difficult pitching conditions, particularly at El Paso's home park. Sears' Triple-A statistics should not be treated as a perfect prediction of his results at Petco Park.
Petco suppresses home runs and overall offense more effectively than most Pacific Coast League stadiums. San Diego's defense and elite bullpen can also protect Sears in ways his minor-league environment could not.
He still must demonstrate that his command and contact management are ready for a major-league lineup. Atlanta's offense contains several hitters capable of punishing mistakes immediately.
Sears made 31 major-league starts during the 2025 season and finished 9-11 with an ERA above five. He has extensive experience working through lineups but did not consistently prevent home runs or hard contact.
The left-handed matchup gives him some natural protection against Olson, Harris, Baldwin, Smith, Yastrzemski, and Tellez.
Atlanta can still attack with Riley, Albies, Dubón, White, Bart, and Mateo from the right side. The Braves may build Wednesday's order specifically around those platoon advantages.
Riley represents the greatest individual threat. Sears cannot afford to place runners aboard before facing a right-handed hitter with elite pull-side power.
Albies becomes more dangerous when batting right-handed. His contact ability can force Sears to work inside the strike zone before Olson and Riley receive their opportunities.
Dubón enters after homering Tuesday and has historically handled left-handed pitching. His ability to use the entire field makes him difficult to neutralize through simple platoon sequencing.
Olson remains dangerous despite the same-handed matchup. He has produced more road home runs than home home runs and continues to rank among baseball's strongest hard-contact hitters.
Sears must also control the running game. Harris, Albies, and several Atlanta role players can create additional pressure if they reach base.
The Padres are unlikely to require seven innings from Sears. Five competitive innings would be considered a successful return, particularly after his recent Triple-A struggles.
San Diego's bullpen can cover the remaining outs, but Tuesday's workload complicates that strategy. Miller threw two innings, while Morejon, Matsui, Morgan, and Hart also appeared.
Game Thesis: Atlanta owns the clear starting-pitcher advantage and should generate scoring opportunities against a pitcher carrying a 7.92 Triple-A ERA and 1.84 WHIP. Sears receives some protection from Petco Park, the platoon construction of Atlanta's lineup, and San Diego's elite bullpen. Pérez should limit a Padres offense that has struggled against left-handed pitching, although Machado, Tatis, Merrill, and Bogaerts give San Diego enough quality to keep the game competitive. The Braves are the preferred moneyline side, but San Diego's bullpen and consecutive one-run victories make the Atlanta run line less dependable. Under 8.5 is preferable to relying on the Braves to carry another high-scoring game.
⭐ Best Bet - Moneyline Pick: Atlanta Braves (-124)
Atlanta is the strongest game selection. The pitching matchup provides the Braves with a meaningful advantage at a price that remains reasonably close to even money.
Pérez owns a 2.78 ERA and has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five consecutive starts. He provides Atlanta with a stable six-inning expectation against a Padres lineup that has struggled against left-handed pitching.
Sears enters with a 7.92 Triple-A ERA and 1.84 WHIP. His recent form deteriorated further, with an ERA above 11.00 across his final six minor-league starts.
Petco Park can reduce some of Sears' home-run vulnerability, but the venue cannot eliminate walks, hard contact, or inefficient innings.
Atlanta can use Riley, Albies, Dubón, White, Bart, and other right-handed hitters against the San Diego left-hander.
Olson also remains dangerous without the platoon advantage. His ability to produce home runs against lefties prevents San Diego from simply using Sears to neutralize Atlanta's most productive power hitter.
The Braves have already demonstrated that they can score against the San Diego middle-relief group. Atlanta produced six runs Tuesday and held leads of 4-0 and 6-5.
The challenge will be finishing the game. San Diego owns the second-best bullpen ERA in baseball and has protected narrow leads throughout the season.
Miller's two-inning appearance Tuesday may reduce his availability. That potentially removes San Diego's most dominant late-game weapon or limits him to a shorter assignment.
Atlanta has also strengthened its bullpen by activating Kinley. The Braves can build a more conventional late-game structure behind Pérez than they used Tuesday.
The Padres remain capable of completing the sweep. Machado and Tatis are swinging the bat well, while Merrill gives San Diego another dangerous hitter near the top of the order.
The Braves still hold the more sustainable pitching advantage. A projected final around 5-3 makes Atlanta the preferred side at -124.
Spread Pick: Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+137)
Atlanta -1.5 provides an aggressive plus-money alternative, but it is less attractive than the moneyline.
The run-line argument begins with Sears. A pitcher carrying a 7.92 Triple-A ERA can place San Diego in an early multi-run deficit against one of the National League's more powerful lineups.
Riley, Olson, Albies, Harris, and Dubón give Atlanta enough production to score during multiple trips through the order.
If Sears exits before completing five innings, San Diego will again need substantial bullpen coverage. The Padres used several relievers Tuesday after Canning recorded only two outs.
Atlanta's advantage can therefore continue after the starter leaves. The Braves do not need to produce every run during the opening three innings.
Pérez has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts. Another controlled performance would give Atlanta a realistic chance to build a two-run margin.
The risk comes from San Diego's ability to keep games close. The Padres won each of the first two contests by one run and possess one of baseball's best bullpens.
Miller, Morejon, Matsui, and Morgan have regularly prevented opponents from adding insurance runs. Atlanta may control the game without creating the margin required by the run line.
The Braves have also struggled to convert scoring opportunities during the series. They were shut out despite seven hits Monday and failed to score after the fifth inning Tuesday.
The +137 return compensates for those concerns. Scores such as 5-3, 6-3, or 4-2 support Atlanta -1.5, but the moneyline remains the safer primary position.
Total Pick: Under 8.5 (-115)
Under 8.5 is preferable to the original Over recommendation. Sears creates obvious scoring risk, but several other matchup factors point toward a more controlled game.
Pérez owns a 2.78 ERA and is facing a San Diego offense averaging fewer than four runs per game.
The Padres also carry one of baseball's lowest on-base percentages against left-handed pitching. Pérez has repeatedly produced six competitive innings without allowing major rallies.
Atlanta can score four or five runs against Sears without the game necessarily clearing 8.5. The Padres would still need to make a meaningful contribution against Pérez and the league's best bullpen.
Both relief groups rank at the top of baseball. Atlanta owns a 3.16 bullpen ERA, while San Diego is directly behind at 3.17.
The late innings therefore become less favourable for an Over wager once the starters leave.
San Diego's bullpen workload creates some concern. Miller threw two innings, while Morejon, Matsui, Morgan, and Hart all appeared Tuesday.
The Padres still have enough depth to avoid relying exclusively on exhausted relievers. Sears could also receive an early hook before Atlanta sees him for a third time.
Petco Park provides another Under advantage. The stadium generally suppresses home runs and extra-base production compared with more hitter-friendly National League venues.
Tuesday's 13-run result was driven by two poor starting-pitching performances and a nine-run second inning. The teams scored only four combined runs during the other nine innings.
Monday's opener produced a 1-0 final, demonstrating how quickly both bullpens can shut down scoring when the game reaches the later innings.
Sears remains the primary threat to the Under. His Triple-A command and home-run numbers could allow Atlanta to score five or six runs before San Diego reaches its best relievers.
The 8.5 line provides enough room for a 5-3, 4-3, or 5-2 result. Atlanta can win comfortably enough to justify the moneyline without requiring another double-digit total.
Top Player Prop Picks
Martín Pérez Over 4.5 Strikeouts (+105 at FanDuel) Pérez has recorded 56 strikeouts across 68 innings, giving him an average slightly above four per appearance.
The current line requires five strikeouts. Pérez reached that total during his latest start against Milwaukee and has produced at least five in several recent outings.
San Diego's lineup creates additional opportunities. The Padres have struggled to make consistent contact and carry one of baseball's weakest offensive profiles against left-handed pitching.
Durán, Taylor, Sheets, Wagner, and several supporting hitters possess meaningful swing-and-miss risk.
Pérez should also receive enough workload. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five consecutive starts and has regularly worked into the sixth inning.
Six innings would give him approximately 22 to 25 opposing plate appearances. Pérez does not need an unusually dominant strikeout rate to reach five with that volume.
The Padres can reduce the total through their right-handed contact hitters. Machado, Tatis, and Bogaerts are capable of putting early-count pitches in play rather than extending at-bats.
Pérez also generates many of his outs through ground balls. His success does not always translate into elevated strikeout totals.
The plus-money price compensates for that limitation. Five strikeouts is a realistic target against the lower half of San Diego's lineup.
Austin Riley Over 1.5 Total Bases (+145 at BetMGM) Riley receives the platoon advantage against Sears and gives Atlanta its strongest right-handed power matchup.
Sears has struggled badly throughout the Triple-A season, allowing frequent hard contact while pitching to a 7.92 ERA and 1.84 WHIP.
Riley has the pull-side power to punish fastballs or breaking pitches that Sears leaves over the inner half of the plate.
He collected three hits during Monday's series opener and remains capable of producing multiple hits even when the rest of Atlanta's lineup is quiet.
The total-bases market provides several paths to a win. One double, triple, or home run would immediately clear the line.
Riley can also reach the required total through two singles. He should bat near the middle of the order and receive at least four plate appearances.
Atlanta's left-handed hitters may force Sears to remain in the strike zone rather than pitching around Riley. Olson, Harris, and Baldwin can punish San Diego if the starter provides unnecessary free baserunners.
Petco Park can suppress some home-run production, but its centre-field dimensions remain reachable for hitters with Riley's power.
The +145 price offers substantially more value than laying close to -200 on a one-hit prop. Riley's platoon advantage and extra-base ceiling support Over 1.5 total bases.
Manny Machado Over 1.5 Total Bases (+132) Machado has delivered the decisive offensive moment in each of the first two games of the series.
He hit a 418-foot home run Monday before driving in the winning run with a 10th-inning single Tuesday.
The home run alone produced four total bases, while Tuesday's single left him one base short of clearing the current number.
Machado receives the platoon advantage against Pérez. He has also enjoyed meaningful career success against the Atlanta left-hander compared with the extremely small matchup samples listed for several other hitters.
The Padres third baseman should bat near the centre of the order behind Tatis and Merrill. That position provides opportunities to hit with runners aboard while guaranteeing a high volume of plate appearances.
One double, triple, or home run would clear the prop. Machado can also reach two total bases through a pair of singles.
Pérez has been excellent this season, but his road ERA is higher than his overall mark. San Diego's right-handed hitters create a more difficult assignment than the team's full-season offensive ranking initially suggests.
Machado has also begun producing more consistent hard contact. His recent home run and walk-off hit indicate that he is seeing the ball better than he did during earlier portions of the season.
The principal risk is Pérez's ground-ball approach. He can keep Machado from elevating the ball by locating his sinker below the strike zone.
The +132 price accounts for that matchup difficulty. Machado's current form, platoon advantage, and central lineup position make Over 1.5 total bases the preferred San Diego hitter prop.
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