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Two of the most recent National League pennant winners from 2020 and 2021 will meet on the diamond this evening as the Los Angeles Dodgers square off with the Atlanta Braves. It is time to take an exclusive sneak peek at our MLB odds series, where our Dodgers-Braves prediction and pick will be revealed.
Coming off a sweep of the Reds in Cincinnati that saw the Dodgers score a combined 26 runs in three games, Los Angeles will be eager to bring their hot bats to the dirty south in Atlanta. Getting the nod on the mound in this one will be the southpaw Julio Urias, who despite his 4-6 record, has an impressive 2.56 ERA in 13 starts this year.
Just how awe-inspiring has the turnaround been for the Braves? Since coming out sluggishly to start off the 2022 season, Atlanta has caught fire and have only lost three games in their previous 21 contests. Now at a very healthy 41-30 record and four games back of the Mets in the division, the defending champs are primed to make another championship run. The righty in Ian Anderson will get the start on Friday against LA with his 6-3 record and 4.35 ERA through 13 starts on the mound.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Dodgers-Braves MLB odds.
MLB Odds: Dodgers-Braves Odds
Los Angeles Dodgers: -1.5 (+118)
Atlanta Braves: +1.5 (-142)
Over: 9 (-118)
Under: 9 (-104)
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Why The Dodgers Could Cover the Spread
It is rare for a Dodgers team to experience a short stretch of lackluster play, but Los Angeles has made that a thing of the past after winning six of eight over the course of the past week.
Heading into this highly anticipated weekend matchup, the Braves better be careful about how they approach this scorching hot Dodgers offensive attack. Currently third in runs scored with 352 and seventh overall with a .253 batting average, the Dodgers will make you pay at the plate.
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While there are multiple guys within this lineup that can make life a living hell for an opposing pitcher, it's performances from a struggling player like OF Cody Bellinger that provide a huge boost to this offense when he can show up in big ways, The former NL MVP is only raking .213 on the season, but his 3-4 performance with a homer and three RBI's on Thursday against the Reds could not be more encouraging for the Dodgers chances to be the last team standing in October.
Just when you thought the offense couldn't be topped, one look at the pitching staff is intimidating enough to leave a team in shambles. Through 68 games played, the Dodgers have the best team ERA (2.93), second in WHIP (1.08), and second in BAA (.215).
This unit plays terrifically as a whole and will be in good shape with Urias taking the rubber to kick off the weekend. While his strikeout rate has dipped from 26.2% to 22.2% this season, the Dodgers lefty is still as crafty as they come.
Why The Braves Could Cover the Spread
The defending champs are back baby! While it may have taken a hot minute for the beasts to awake from their slumber, Atlanta has possessed a balanced attack over the past few weeks to put them back in playoff contention. Now eleven games above .500, the Braves' winning ways will face their toughest test with a home contest versus the Dodgers. With a 23-15 record in from of their home fans and a 5-1 mark in their last six opening games of a series, Atlanta certainly has what it takes to cover the spread on Friday night.
Yes, the Dodgers offense may be as good as it gets, but don't be sleeping on a Braves bunch that rakes against left-handed pitching and has ranked fourth in OPS in the last ten days. In fact, the Braves are 13-3 in their last 16 games when facing off with a southpaw from the mound. Atlanta also is the one squad that has a higher slugging percentage than the Dodgers at .443, so be on the lookout for some balls flying into the gaps of the outfield and even the stands when the Braves step into the batter's box.
Pitching-wise, the expected starter in Ian Anderson has done fairly well in limiting solid contact with a 3.7% barrel rate, and the fact that he is still only 24 years of age showcases his potential as a big-league pitcher. His strikeout-to-walk ratio may be on the low side at 1.84, but the Braves hurler is fresh off a six-inning shutout in which he only allowed three hits in a win versus the Cubs.
Final Dodgers-Braves Prediction & Pick
On paper, both sides are very evenly matched and have the ability to hurt one another. However, with the Braves playing at home and their success against lefties, it is hard to ignore what Atlanta is capable of doing in this one. Not to mention, but Los Angeles is 0-5 in their last five meetings in Atlanta. Hammer the Braves +1.5 spread ahead of tonight's big-time matchup!
Final Dodgers-Braves Prediction & Pick: Braves +1.5 (-142)
