The Atlanta Braves head up north to take on the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Braves-Yankees prediction and pick.

Atlanta is coming off of a crucial series win against the Chicago Cubs that was capped off by a nine-run victory in the finale. New York has lost five-straight games and will desperately look to get the bats going in this series. Will the Yankees be able to get back on track in a crucial inter-league series against the Braves?

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Braves-Yankees odds.

MLB Odds: Braves-Yankees Odds

Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-178)

New York Yankees -1.5 (+158)

Over 8.5 Runs (-120)

Under 8.5 Runs (+100)

Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread

The Atlanta Braves are beginning to find their stride behind the play of slugging outfielder Ronal Acuna Jr. Acuna enters this series with New York hitting .419 with seven home runs and 16 RBI. Atlanta avoided a train-wreck as Ronald left the field in their last game with an injury, but thankfully shouldn’t have to miss any time in this series. His availability will be crucial against a Yankee lineup capable of doing huge things on a daily basis.

Atlanta will send out right-hander Charlie Morton for his fourth start of the season. Charlie is currently 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA. He received a no-decision in his last start against Miami. Morton allowed five earned runs in six innings of work. He will have a good chance to have a bounce-back outing against a Yankee group that has failed to surpass three runs in five of their last six games coming in.

Why The Yankees Could Cover The Spread

The New York Yankees have been playing horribly of late. They come into this game having lost their last five games. The Yankees are currently in last place in the AL East at 5-10 and have shown no signs of life lately. New York’s lineup has been terrible, hitting just .210 with 55 runs scored on the young season. One would have to assume that these struggles are uncharacteristic and the loaded Yankee lineup will get things going in the near future.

New York will send out right-hander Jameson Taillon for his third start of the season. Taillon is 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA through 8 1/3 innings of work. He allowed five earned runs in his last start against Toronto and desperately needs a quality start to get his first season in Pinstripes on the right track. The thing that Taillon has going for him is that his team is 4-1 in their last five home games against Atlanta coming in.

Final Braves-Yankees Prediction & Pick

One would have to assume that the New York Yankees will return to form in the very near future. The struggles have been shocking and the Yankee core will all be on the field against the Braves. Atlanta’s pitching has struggled this season, which gives New York a great opportunity to start stringing together some much-needed offense. If Taillon can deliver a quality start, New York will win this game by at least two runs.

FINAL PICK: New York Yankees ML (-123)