For the first time since signing a $218 million contract with the Yankees, Max Fried will take the mound against his former team. The club where he spent the first eight years of his career. It’s Fried versus the Braves. We’re here for the drama.
We’re also here to see if Atlanta can win its ninth game in a row. Let’s preview this interleague clash of titans and make a couple picks on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Braves vs. Yankees prediction, preview
Technically, the Braves haven’t lost since dropping the first-half of a doubleheader against the Mets back on July 29. However, the concept of “winning” isn’t always as cut and dry as a baseball score. The fact of the matter is that Atlanta did lose to start this week — it lost the trade deadline. While GM Alex Anthopoulos reportedly attempted to lure Jacob deGrom away from the Rangers, that ploy was unsuccessful, and the Braves were left to settle for Tyler Mahle, who will make his debut with the club on Friday. Ironically, Mahle was great in Texas in 2025, but things were not going as well in 2026 in San Francisco. Over 18 starts and 94.2 innings, the veteran RHP owned a ghastly 5.13 ERA. Sure, a hilariously low 69.1% stand rate suggests Mahle’s been a little unlucky this season, yet Atlanta needed a frontline starter to pair with Chris Sale. Even if Mahle’s numbers normalize a little bit, he’s clearly not that guy.
You know who is that guy? Max Fried. Injuries have prevented the left-hander from starting more than 13 games to this point in the regular season, but Fried’s been his usual self when available, maintaining a 3.12 ERA and a 2.39 xERA across 75.0 innings. Fried’s not going to wow you on the radar gun, yet the veteran’s ability to almost completely suppress opponent hard contact is incredible. To wit, the southpaw’s surrendered 197 batted ball events so far in 2026, and only three have been opponent barrels. It’s not a coincidence that Fried’s only allowed a single opponent home run this year, either.
I’m not exaggerating when I say Fried will need to be good on Friday if the Yankees want to secure a win. You simply can not rely on New York’s offense to score runs. It’s a massive understatement to suggest that this lineup misses Aaron Judge (rib) and Cody Bellinger (hamstring). In fact, since the All-Star break, the Yankees rank dead-last in batting average (.200), OBP (.269), wOBA (.272) and wRC+ (72). Maybe George Lombard Jr. and Luis Garcia Jr. can bring a little life while Aaron Boone waits for his injured reinforcements, but things are bleak at the moment.
Conversely, Atlanta leads MLB in ISO in the second-half (.208). It also sits second in wOBA (.350). It got Ronald Acuna Jr. back from the IL and he’s immediately shown what he can do, even going so far as to hit a pair of home runs in yesterday’s win over the Marlins — even if one needed a little outfield assist.
Braves vs. Yankees pick, best bet
Best Bet: Under 8.5 (-128)
The Yankees are bringing a lot of “under energy” to this contest. Max Fried has pitched to a 2.39 xERA this season and he’s given up just one home run in 75.0 innings. On the other side, New York ranks dead-last in batting average (.200), OBP (.269), wOBA (.272) and wRC+ (72) since the All-Star break.
Strong Lean: NRFI (-110)
The Yankees haven’t scored a first inning run in their past seven games. I have my doubts that that streak comes to an end on Friday.
