Braves vs. Rangers: Game 3 prediction, lineup, odds, injuries and betting picks - July 27, 2025

The Texas Rangers enter Sunday’s Game 3 against the Atlanta Braves riding a five-game win streak, including back-to-back victories to open the series.

Powered by timely hitting and improved starting pitching, the Rangers will look to complete the sweep at home behind Jack Leiter.

Meanwhile, the Braves aim to salvage the finale with Bryce Elder on the mound, hoping to slow down Texas’ red-hot offense.

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Starting pitchers

Bryce Elder (Braves, RHP)

Bryce Elder enters with a 4-6 record and a 5.63 ERA across 84.2 innings. He has struggled with consistency this season, allowing too many baserunners (1.55 WHIP).

In his last start against San Francisco, he gave up three runs over five innings but managed to secure the win despite just one strikeout.

Jack Leiter (Rangers, RHP)

Jack Leiter sits at 6-6 with a 4.27 ERA and 76 strikeouts. The right-hander looked sharp in his latest outing, limiting Oakland to two runs across six innings while fanning seven.

Leiter’s improving command and rising strikeout rate make him an X-factor for Texas.

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Hot hitters to watch

Corey Seager (Rangers)

Corey Seager is riding a 26-game on-base streak, consistently setting the table at the top of Texas’ lineup. He’s batting .273 on the season with 15 homers and 38 RBIs, and remains the Rangers’ most reliable offensive spark.

Matt Olson (Braves)

Matt Olson has quietly put together a solid 2025 campaign, slugging 18 home runs with 65 RBIs. His recent stretch includes multiple multi-hit games, and continues to be a threat to go deep at any ballpark.

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Probable lineup

Braves (Away team):

• LF Jurickson Profar (S)
• 1B Matt Olson (L)
• RF Ronald Acuna Jr. (R)
• C Drake Baldwin (L)
• 3B Austin Riley (R)
• DH Sean Murphy (R)
• 2B Ozzie Albies (S)
• CF Michael Harris II (L)
• SS Nick Allen (R)
• SP: Bryce Elder (R) 4-6, 5.63 ERA

Rangers (Home team):

• 1B Josh Smith (L)
• SS Corey Seager (L)
• 2B Marcus Semien (R)
• RF Adolis Garcia (R)
• CF Evan Carter (L)
• LF Wyatt Langford (R)
• 3B Josh Jung (R)
• DH Rowdy Tellez (L)
• C Kyle Higashioka (R)
• SP: Jack Leiter (R) 6-6, 4.27 ERA

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Injury report

Atlanta Braves:

• Grant Holmes – Elbow, 15-day IL
• Chris Sale – Elbow, 60-day IL
• Reynaldo Lopez – Elbow, 60-day IL
• Spencer Schwellenbach – Elbow, 60-day IL
• AJ Smith-Shawver – Oblique, 60-day IL

Texas Rangers:

• Joc Pederson – Hand, day-to-day (could return on Sunday)
• Jake Burger – Quad, 10-day IL
• Chris Martin – Calf, 15-day IL
• Josh Sborz – Shoulder, 60-day IL
• Cody Bradford – Ribs, 60-day IL
• Tyler Mahle – Elbow, 60-day IL

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Current odds

Run line:

Braves –1.5 (+153) | Rangers +1.5 (−188)

Total:

Over 9 (−119) | Under 9 (−102)

Moneyline:

Braves +100 | Rangers −122

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Best bets & prediction

Final score prediction: Rangers 6, Braves 3

Top bets:

1. Rangers Moneyline (−122) - Leiter’s late-season form and command advantage give Texas an edge over Elder’s volatility.
2. Over 9 Total Runs (−119) - With Elder’s HR issues and Leiter fresh off injury, this game could turn into a mid-innings scoring affair.

Value Parlay: Rangers ML + Over 9, pairing Leiter’s upside with a likely offensive breakout from a Braves lineup that can be opportunistic.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez