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The Atlanta Braves get set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first of a three-game set. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Dodgers-Braves prediction and pick.
Atlanta is currently holding onto the second spot in the National League East despite their 26-28 record. Los Angeles is trying to find a way to claw their way back up to the top of the National League West as they currently sit in third place at 33-23. We should have a fun weekend series on our hands that features a ton of runs scored.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Dodgers-Braves odds.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Braves Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+128)
Atlanta Braves +1.5 (-148)
Over 9 Runs (+101)
Under 9 Runs (-121)
Why The Dodgers Could Cover The Spread
The defending champs are in an uncharacteristic position at this point of the season. Los Angeles has owned the National League West division for the past several years and although they are having a solid season, they're currently in third place in the division. The resurgence of the Giants and the Padres has been fun to watch if you're anyone else. The Dodgers will almost certainly climb their way back up as they're currently scoring the most runs in all of baseball and don't give up many on the other end, either. Their struggles of late have been slightly alarming, but the Dodgers will look to secure their second-straight series win against the Braves.
Los Angeles will turn to young left-hander Julio Urias for the series opener. Urias has put together another solid season for his club with a 7-2 record and 3.61 ERA. The southpaw will look to bounce back in this start after giving up six earned runs on 11 hits in five innings of work against the Giants in his last start. Urias has been a strikeout machine and has only surrendered more than three earned runs in two starts this season. In his lone start against the Braves in last year's postseason, the Dodger lefty allowed just one earned run through five innings in a win.
Why The Braves Could Cover The Spread
The Atlanta Braves have several areas that they need to improve in going forward. The Braves are 2-4 in their last six games and have been giving up a ton of runs. Atlanta has shown flashes as they allowed just one earned run in each of the four games prior to this current six-game stretch. The Braves have scored the eighth-most runs in the league at 4.85 per game. Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has been absolutely dominant this season with 17 home runs, 35 RBI, and nine stolen bases. If the Atlanta pitching staff can find a way to neutralize lineups even semi-regularly, this potent lineup should be able to carry this team to the promise land.
The Atlanta Braves will turn to young right-hander Ian Anderson for the series opener. Anderson has been solid for the Braves with a 4-2 record and 3.27 ERA. Anderson had strung together two brilliant starts before getting roughed up by the Mets in his most recent outing. The righty allowed four earned runs in four innings of work against the division rivals. Anderson faced the Dodgers two times in the 2020 postseason. He allowed two earned runs and struck out seven through seven innings.
Final Dodgers-Braves Prediction & Pick
Truthfully speaking, these teams are currently in different weight classes. The Dodgers have been playing a much better product of baseball and they certainly come to play when Julio Urias in on the bump. Los Angeles is 8-3 in the southpaw's 11 starts this season. The Dodgers have won four of their last five games against the Braves and should enter this series with a ton of confidence as they're 14-6 in their last 20 games to date.
FINAL DODGERS-BRAVES PREDICTION AND PICK: Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-125)
